1. CONTRACTS
Health Team Relations

2. Contract
Definition-an agreement between two or more parties.

3. Three parts to a contract….
Offer- a competent person enters into a relationship with a health care provider and offers to be a patient.
Acceptance-the HC provider gives an appointment or examines/treats the person
Consideration-payment made by the patient for services provided

4. Types of Contracts
Implied Contract-obligations are understood without verbally expressed terms. If a HCW prepares a medication and the patient takes it, the patient implies they accept the treatment.
Expressed Contract-stated in distinct and clear language-can be oral or written such as surgical consent. All risks must be explained to patient.

5. Requirements 1. All parties must be free of legal disability.
legal disability includes minors, mentally incompetent persons, individuals under the influence of drugs that alter mental state, semiconscious or unconscious persons. These individuals would require a parent, guardian, or other legal representative to consent.

6. Requirements 2. Standard of Care
care must be performed according to the agreement
Breach of Contract
failure to perform proper care or provide care
failure to pay for care
3. Translator is required for non-English speaking individuals.

7. Principal and Agent Principal is the employer
responsible for the actions of the agent
Agent is the employee
must be aware of their role and work to protect the interest of their employer

8. Reference Health Science Career Exploration
by Louise Simmers 2004 edition