What is the definition of "malpractice" in healthcare?

The definition of "malpractice" in healthcare is centered on the concept of negligence, particularly the breach of the duty of care that medical professionals owe to their patients. It specifically refers to situations where a healthcare provider fails to act according to the accepted standards of practice, resulting in harm or injury to a patient.

This definition encompasses various forms of negligent behavior, such as misdiagnosis, improper treatment, or failure to obtain informed consent. The key aspect is that the breach must lead to an actual adverse outcome for the patient, meaning the patient was harmed as a direct result of the provider's actions or lack thereof. This highlights the importance of maintaining high standards of care in healthcare settings to prevent malpractice incidents and protect patient well-being.

In contrast, other options present concepts that do not align with the legal definition of malpractice. A failure to provide necessary treatment might be one aspect of malpractice but does not encompass the full scope of the duty of care as defined legally. Misunderstandings between healthcare providers and patients do not constitute malpractice unless they result in a breach of care duties leading to harm. Lastly, errors during documentation may have significant implications but they alone do not define malpractice unless they correlate directly with negligent patient care that results in harm.