LEGAL ISSUES...PATIENT ABUSE: SEXUAL

Course overview

Patient abuse arising out of sexual assault in a healthcare facility is a so-called ¿Never Event¿. Sexual abuse is not confined to physical interference with a patient¿s body, but also includes non-tactile and verbal conduct such as inappropriate sexual interest in a patient¿s body, sexual jokes, and comments, and exhibitionism. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of legal issues surrounding sexual abuse of patients, including information on what constitutes patient sexual abuse, risk factors for sexual abuse, and legal actions in response to actual cases of patient sexual abuse. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.