What does abandonment refer to in healthcare?

Abandonment in healthcare refers to the discontinuation of care once it has begun. This concept is critical as healthcare providers have an ethical and legal obligation to their patients to maintain continuity of care. Abandonment can occur when a provider stops providing treatment without giving the patient adequate notice or transferring their care to another qualified professional. This can lead to harm for the patient and can have serious legal implications for the provider.

In contrast, leaving a patient unattended after treatment may pertain to negligence but does not specifically encapsulate the idea of abandonment. Similarly, failing to provide appropriate follow-up care suggests a lapse in ongoing management rather than the act of terminating care. Refusing to accept new patients involves acceptance of responsibility initially but does not directly relate to patient abandonment. Thus, discontinuing care once it has started captures the essence of abandonment in a healthcare context.