Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice (pronunciation: /ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈmælprækˈtɪs/) is a legal term that refers to negligence by a healthcare professional or provider in which treatment provided was substandard, and caused harm, injury or death to a patient.
Etymology
The term "malpractice" originates from the Latin word "male praxis" which means "bad practice". The prefix "medical" is derived from the Latin "medicus" meaning "physician".
Definition
In legal context, medical malpractice is defined as any act or omission by a physician during treatment of a patient that deviates from accepted norms of practice in the medical community and causes an injury to the patient.
Related Terms
- Negligence: The failure to take proper care in doing something, often resulting in damage or injury to others.
- Standard of care: The degree of prudence and caution required of an individual who is under a duty of care.
- Patient: A person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.
- Physician: A person qualified to practice medicine, especially one who specializes in diagnosis and medical treatment as opposed to surgery.
- Healthcare provider: An organization that provides medical services to people.
- Injury: Harm or damage that is done or sustained.
Categories
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medical malpractice
- Wikipedia's article - Medical malpractice
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