Final answer:
Health facilities can face liability issues concerning flawed procedures, faulty equipment, and discrimination. The government ensures protocol and equipment safety standards. Insurance plays a role in protecting facilities against financial liability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The health facility itself can be faced with various types of liability issues, which often revolve around the quality and safety of care provided to patients. When a negative outcome occurs and it is due to a flawed procedure or faulty equipment, determining liability can become complex. Questions of whether health-care workers should be held liable if they adhered strictly to flawed protocols, or manufacturers if their equipment fails, are difficult and involve a balance between patient safety, quality of care, and economic implications.
Hospitals and healthcare providers may face lawsuits if discrimination in care is proven, as seen with historical lawsuits for discrimination against Black patients and doctors. Further, health financing systems such as fee-for-service or HMOs can influence the way hospitals manage treatment and associated liability risks. While institutions prioritize the safety of patients, they also need to manage the risk of legal exposure and ensure adherence to strict protocols and proper equipment maintenance.
Governmental agencies, like Health and Social Services, play a significant role in ensuring that medical protocols and equipment use meet safety standards and are fail-safe. They also regulate privacy concerns with health records and balance treatment costs against patient quality of life. Lastly, when incidents occur, such as the exposure to HIV due to compromised syringes at a hospital, a facility's insurance may be responsible for covering the treatment, evidencing another layer of financial protection against liability.