Law and Audiology Practice: Understanding Malpractice and Conflict of Interest Rules

ABSTRACT

Clinical audiology practice consists of service delivery directly to patients as well as financial relationships with medical manufacturers. Legal rules govern both of these kinds of activities, namely, medical malpractice through the negligence rule in tort law, and conflict of interest rules under the fraud and abuse statutes. As well, ethical precepts guide audiologists in potential conflict of interest situations involving financial relationships. Audiologists should be cognizant of the law and ethical norms to understand their obligations as defined by society's laws and their profession.

KEYWORDS

Medical malpractice - conflict of interest - fraud and abuse - Antikickback Statutes - Stark Laws - False Claims Act - que tam - res ipsa loquitur - ethics

REFERENCES

• 1 42 USCA §1320a-7b. 
• 2 42 USCA §1320a-7a(a)(7). 
• 3 42 USCA §1395nn, 42 CFR §411.350-411.361 (1998). 
• 4 42 USCA §1395nn(g)(4). 
• 5 42 USCA §1320a-7a. 
• 6 U.S. v. Lorenzo, 768 F Supp 1127 (ED Pa 1991). 
• 7 31 USCA §3730. 
• 8 Blackstone W. Commentaries of the Laws of England. 4th ed. Book III. Chicago, IL; Callaghan Publishing 1899
• 9 31 USCA §3730(b). 
• 10 31 USCA §3730(h). 
• 11 Liang B A. Fraud and abuse in audiology: the law of conflict of interest.  Semin Hear. 2000;  21 41-61
• 12 American Academy of Audiology, Ethical Practices Board .Issues in Ethics: Conflicts of Professional Interest. http://Available at www.audiology.org/professional/positions/conflict.php Accessed December 8, 2005