What is considered battery in a healthcare context?

In a healthcare context, battery is defined as the intentional and unauthorized physical contact with a patient. Providing treatment without a patient's consent falls under this definition because it involves performing a procedure or intervention that the patient has not agreed to, violating their autonomy and rights over their own body. Consent is a fundamental principle in medical ethics and law; obtaining it ensures that patients are informed and agree to the treatment they are receiving.

While the other options present actions that may lead to legal or ethical issues in healthcare, they do not necessarily meet the criteria of battery. Accidentally hurting a patient could stem from negligence or an unforeseen complication, but it would not be categorized as battery since it lacks the intent required. Failing to inform a patient of potential risks can relate to informed consent and may lead to legal claims, but it does not involve non-consensual physical contact. Neglecting to follow up on a patient’s progress may indicate poor patient management, yet it does not involve unauthorized physical contact either. Thus, the act of treating a patient without their consent is the clearest example of battery in the healthcare environment.