How is "malpractice" defined in the healthcare sector?

In the healthcare sector, "malpractice" refers specifically to professional negligence that occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the standard level of care that is expected, which subsequently results in harm or injury to a patient. This definition encompasses instances where a clinician's actions or omissions fall below the accepted standards of practice and cause detrimental outcomes. Malpractice highlights the importance of maintaining a certain level of care and assessing professional responsibilities in providing treatment safely and effectively.

Understanding this definition is crucial in the healthcare environment because it sets the foundation for legal accountability. It emphasizes that the harmful outcomes are not merely due to bad luck or unforeseen circumstances but are the result of not adhering to the accepted norms of practice. This is significantly distinct from other issues like insufficient resources, confidentiality breaches, or communication failures, which, while important, do not fit under the legal definition of malpractice as they do not directly pertain to the negligence associated with professional care standards.