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Healthcare professionals today are acutely aware of the need to understand the legal environment in which they practice. Ever-shrinking resources, shorter lengths of stay, high-acuity patients, availability of more complex information, diverse patient populations, and the use of technology mean that healthcare professionals must understand the legal risks inherent in their practice.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the legal risks inherent in their healthcare practice.

Healthcare professionals face ethical dilemmas every day of their professional lives. Ethical decision-making is an important part of the care they provide to their patients and clients. A sound understanding of key ethical issues helps healthcare providers make appropriate ethical decisions during the course of their care.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the theories and foundations of ethics that support sound decision-making during the provision of care.

With the advent of astounding scientific and technological advances in every area of health care, today's healthcare environment is increasingly fraught with complex patient care issues. Healthcare professionals often have varying views on legal and ethical dilemmas that make it difficult to act in ways consistent with their own support for patient autonomy. The variation in individual state approaches to laws and professional standards, as well as specific codes of ethics, makes ethical dilemmas challenging for many healthcare providers and patients and family members.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to provide an overview of contemporary ethical dilemmas found in healthcare today.

Personal health information is protected under federal law. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides for the protection and security of personal health information. Both healthcare professionals and consumers must understand the legal and ethical implications of this law and the effects of violations on the patient and the provider.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to provide an overview of HIPAA rules to ensure that personal health information is protected.

Medications promote healing, reduce suffering, and contribute to modern medical miracles. However, because thousands of new drugs have been developed recently, because the healthcare environment is increasingly complex, and because patients are older and often sicker, there is increasing risk for medication errors.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to discuss the issues relevant to medication errors. The scope of the problem and potential causes are explored, and specific guidelines for prevention are suggested.

Social media has many characteristics and has become part of the very fabric of today's society. It can be immediate, irreverent, and incredibly powerful. The use of social media in all areas of life, especially health care, is growing exponentially. Used to effectively communicate and connect with other healthcare professionals, the community, and patients, social media also has tremendous risks when not used professionally. Guidelines to ensure its safe and proper use are essential.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to provide an overview of social media tools used in healthcare today, as well as provide principles for the effective and professional use of social media.

The gift of organ donation is the gift of life. However, the gap between those who need an organ or tissue donation and the number of donations available is wide and growing. Healthcare providers need to understand the issues surrounding organ and tissue donation and recovery so they can effectively support the needs of donor families and donor recipients.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to provide an overview of the complex and challenging issues surrounding organ and tissue donation and recovery, including methods of compassionately and effectively supporting the families during the process.

Workplace violence is an increasing problem in organizations today and is especially challenging in the healthcare industry. Considered a human rights issue, workplace violence affects the dignity of millions of people worldwide and is a major source of inequality, discrimination, stigmatization, and workplace conflict. The consequences to organizations and employees are staggering and include negative financial, safety, and health-related outcomes.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to be able to describe the key characteristics and factors related to the prevalence of workplace violence, including its impact on the workplace and the employee, characteristics of potential victims and perpetrators, and guidelines for the prevention of workplace violence.