What does the term "malpractice" refer to in the healthcare field?

The term "malpractice" in the healthcare field specifically refers to professional negligence that leads to harm or injury to a patient. This concept involves a breach of the standard of care that is expected of medical professionals. When healthcare providers do not deliver the necessary level of care, whether through errors in diagnosis, treatment, or health management, and this negligent action directly results in patient harm, it is characterized as malpractice.

It’s essential to understand that malpractice is not merely an error or a bad outcome; it involves a failure to meet the professional standards that are recognized in the medical community. This can include actions such as prescribing the wrong medication, failing to diagnose a condition that should have been identified, or performing a procedure incorrectly.

The other options mentioned touch on different aspects of healthcare but do not accurately define malpractice. For instance, disease transmission between patients pertains to infection control issues rather than negligence. The litigation process against hospitals and disciplinary actions against healthcare providers are consequences of malpractice but do not define what malpractice itself is. Thus, the selected answer accurately captures the essence of malpractice in the context of healthcare.