What term refers to the act of discontinuing medical care without ensuring that another healthcare professional has taken over?

The term that refers to the act of discontinuing medical care without ensuring that another healthcare professional has taken over is abandonment. Abandonment occurs when a healthcare provider leaves a patient without proper notice or without providing a suitable substitute for care. This can leave the patient in a vulnerable position, unable to receive necessary treatment, which can result in harm.

In healthcare, a provider has a duty to their patient to provide continuity of care. If a patient is abruptly left without care, especially when they have ongoing medical needs or complications, this can lead to negative outcomes. Legal and ethical standards require that the provider transfer care responsibly to ensure the patient is still supported, which further emphasizes the importance of not abandoning patients.

In contrast, negligence involves failing to act with the level of care that a reasonably competent professional would provide, which doesn't necessarily involve terminating a relationship or care. Informed consent pertains to the patient's right to understand and agree to their treatment, and liability relates to the legal responsibility one has for their actions or omissions, neither of which directly pertains to the act of discontinuing care without transition.