Which term best describes failure to perform a procedure according to the institution's standard of care?

Which term best describes failure to perform a procedure according to the institution's standard of care?

• A. Informed consent
• B. Battery
• C. Defamation
• D. Negligence

Answer: (D)

Negligence is the term used when someone fails to perform a procedure according to the institution’s standard of care. The standard of care is the level of care a reasonably prudent professional would provide in similar situations. When a caregiver breaches that duty—by skipping steps, using improper technique, or not following established protocols—and this breach leads to harm or creates a risk of harm, negligence has occurred. This concept differs from informed consent, which is about obtaining a patient’s permission before a procedure; from battery, which is intentional touching without consent; and from defamation, which involves false statements that harm a person’s reputation. In a phlebotomy setting, for example, failing to properly identify a patient or neglecting sterile technique could constitute negligence if it breaches the standard of care and could cause harm.

Negligence is the term used when someone fails to perform a procedure according to the institution’s standard of care. The standard of care is the level of care a reasonably prudent professional would provide in similar situations. When a caregiver breaches that duty—by skipping steps, using improper technique, or not following established protocols—and this breach leads to harm or creates a risk of harm, negligence has occurred. This concept differs from informed consent, which is about obtaining a patient’s permission before a procedure; from battery, which is intentional touching without consent; and from defamation, which involves false statements that harm a person’s reputation. In a phlebotomy setting, for example, failing to properly identify a patient or neglecting sterile technique could constitute negligence if it breaches the standard of care and could cause harm.