What is considered physical abuse in a healthcare setting?

Physical abuse in a healthcare setting refers to actions that cause physical harm to a patient. This includes any behavior that may result in injury, such as hitting, slapping, or other forms of violent contact, as well as neglect that leads to physical harm. In this context, neglect becomes a form of abuse when a patient does not receive the necessary care that leads to deterioration of their physical health or safety.

It is important to distinguish physical abuse from other forms of abuse or misconduct. For example, verbally reprimanding a patient may be considered verbal or emotional abuse but not physical. Similarly, improper handling of medical records pertains to privacy concerns and legal violations rather than physical harm. Lastly, failing to provide emotional support is related to psychological well-being but does not inflict physical harm on the patient. Therefore, the key aspect of physical abuse is that it directly results in a physical impact on the patient's body or well-being.