What is considered negligence in a healthcare context?

Negligence in a healthcare context refers to an unintentional wrong where a healthcare provider's actions fall below the standard of care expected, resulting in harm to a patient. This definition encompasses scenarios in which the provider did not intend to cause harm but failed to provide the level of care that a reasonably competent professional in the same field would have provided under similar circumstances.

This could manifest in various ways, such as errors in diagnosis, improper treatment, or failure to monitor a patient's condition effectively. The key factor in negligence is the absence of intent; the harm caused is a result of carelessness or oversight rather than a purposeful act.

The focus on unintentional wrongdoing differentiates it from acts that are deliberate, such as assault or intentional infliction of harm, which do not fall under the definition of negligence. In addition, while effective communication and technical skills are important aspects of providing care, failing in these areas doesn't automatically constitute negligence unless it directly leads to an unintentional harm that breaches the standard of care.