What is it called when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care for a patient?

The situation described occurs when a healthcare provider does not perform their duties in accordance with the established standards that typically govern their professional responsibility. This failure can lead to harm to a patient, and when it rises to a certain level of wrongdoing or misconduct, it is referred to as malpractice. Malpractice specifically indicates that there was a breach of the standard of care owed to the patient, and it often implies that the provider failed to deliver the level of care that would be expected from a qualified professional in similar circumstances.

In the medical context, malpractice is a serious issue because it encompasses actions or inactions that not only violate professional standards but also result in significant negative outcomes for patients. This might include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, improper treatment, or insufficient follow-up care. Malpractice cases typically involve legal implications and can lead to lawsuits where patients seek compensation for damages.

Negligence, while related, is a broader term that can encompass both intentional and unintentional actions that cause harm. Medical error refers specifically to mistakes made in the course of medical treatment, which may not always meet the threshold of malpractice unless they also fulfill the criteria of not meeting accepted standards of care. Similarly, unintentional harm does not fully capture the responsibility and standard of care