Negligence in healthcare refers to what?

Negligence in healthcare is defined as the failure to provide care that a reasonable person would perform in similar circumstances. This concept is rooted in the idea that healthcare professionals have a duty to their patients to provide a standard level of care. When this standard is not met, and it results in harm or injury to the patient, negligence occurs.

For instance, if a nurse fails to monitor a patient's vital signs adequately or does not follow established protocols, this could be deemed negligent behavior. The key aspect is that the action (or inaction) falls below what is expected from someone with similar training and experience, leading to potential harm.

Focusing on the other choices: An intentional act that causes harm refers more to malpractice or criminal behavior rather than negligence, which is about failure to adhere to the expected standard of care. Not documenting patient interactions is a serious issue, but it is generally considered a form of improper procedure rather than negligence unless it directly leads to patient harm. Improperly administering medication is also a serious concern, but it describes a specific act of potential negligence rather than the broader definition of negligence itself.