What is defined as a breach of the standard of care that causes harm to a patient?

The concept referred to as a breach of the standard of care that leads to patient harm is known as medical negligence. This occurs when a healthcare provider fails to act in accordance with the accepted standards of practice, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. Essentially, medical negligence is a form of malpractice where the actions, or inactions, of a provider do not meet the requisite level of care that is expected in the medical profession.

This term emphasizes both the failure to adhere to the standard of care and the resulting damage to the patient, which can be crucial for establishing liability in legal situations. In cases of medical negligence, the focus is on whether the provider's conduct fell short of what a reasonable provider would have done under similar circumstances.

On the other hand, informed consent relates to the process of ensuring that patients understand the risks and benefits of a procedure prior to agreeing to it, which is not directly tied to a breach of care. Patient autonomy refers to the patient's right to make decisions about their own healthcare, and the standard of care itself is a measure of the appropriate action expected from healthcare providers rather than a cause for harm.