What it means
Professional negligenceNEG-lih-junsFailure to use the care that a reasonably careful person would use in the same situation.Full entry : a licensed professional fails to meet the standard of careSTAN-derd uv kairThe level of care that a reasonably careful nurse with the same training would give in the same situation.Full entry of their profession, and a client is harmed as a result. To prove malpractice, four things must be shown: the nurse had a duty to the client, the nurse breached that duty, the breach caused the injury, and the client suffered harm (damages). A nurse can be sued for malpractice and can also face discipline from the board of nursing.
For the nurse
Know and follow your scope of practice and facility policies, keep your knowledge current and document care clearly. Many nurses carry their own malpractice insurance.
Remember it
Four Ds: duty, dereliction (breach), direct cause, damages.
At a glance
| Spanish | mala praxis |
|---|---|
| Also written | professional negligence |
Easy to confuse with
negligence
Failure to use the care that a reasonably careful person would use in the same situation.
Related terms
documentation
The written or electronic record of a client's care, condition and response.
standard of care
The level of care that a reasonably careful nurse with the same training would give in the same situation.
negligence
Failure to use the care that a reasonably careful person would use in the same situation.