What does negligence in healthcare refer to?

Negligence in healthcare specifically refers to the failure to follow a reasonable standard of care that a competent healthcare professional would provide under similar circumstances. This encompasses situations where a provider's actions or omissions fall short of what is considered acceptable practice, leading to potential harm to a patient. In essence, it highlights the responsibility of healthcare professionals to adhere to established protocols and guidelines to ensure patient safety and care quality.

This failure can manifest in various ways, such as neglecting to perform necessary assessments, not administering medications correctly, or making poor clinical decisions. When a healthcare provider does not meet the expected standard of care, it can result in legal ramifications and compromise patient safety, ultimately leading to adverse outcomes.

Other options may focus on specific instances of care, but they do not capture the broader principle of negligence, which is rooted in the overarching duty of care that healthcare professionals owe their patients.