10.19
Délits III
Types de délits quasi-intentionnels dans le domaine des soins de santé
Les délits quasi intentionnels dans le domaine des soins de santé concernent de…
Comprenons les types de délits quasi intentionnels et non intentionnels.
Les délits quasi intentionnels sont des actes fondés sur des propos tenus contre une autre personne, causant un préjudice économique ou une atteinte à la réputation d'une personne.
Il s’agit par exemple de calomnie ou de partage d’informations fausses ou confidentielles, et de diffamation, y compris la propagation de rumeurs.
De même, la diffamation consiste à rédiger des déclarations fausses et préjudiciables contre quelqu’un, par exemple, un patient publiant de faux avis sur un fournisseur sur les médias sociaux.
Le délit non intentionnel le plus courant est la négligence.
La négligence consiste à ne pas fournir aux patients des soins minimaux dans le cadre des normes désignées, ce qui entraîne des blessures ou la mort.
Il peut s’agir de négliger les actions infirmières attendues ou d’effectuer des actions infirmières inattendues.
Un exemple de négligence est lorsqu’une infirmière omet de pratiquer l’hygiène des mains avant de toucher le patient et que le patient développe une infection.
La faute professionnelle, un autre type de délit non intentionnel, est toute action ou tout comportement d’une infirmière qui ne respecte pas la norme de pratique et qui entraîne des blessures ou des préjudices pour le patient.
Un exemple de faute professionnelle est l’incapacité à obtenir un consentement éclairé avant d’effectuer une procédure.
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Q1: What is the difference between slander and libel in healthcare settings?
Slander involves verbally sharing false information that damages another person's reputation, while libel is the written form of defamation. For example, a healthcare professional verbally sharing incorrect information about a patient's medical condition constitutes slander, whereas a patient posting false and harmful reviews about a provider on social media constitutes libel. Both are quasi-intentional torts.
Q2: How does negligence differ from malpractice in nursing?
Negligence occurs when a nurse fails to provide minimum care within designated standards, resulting in patient injury. Malpractice is negligence specific to professionals whose actions fall below the accepted standard of practice and cause harm. For example, failing to perform hand hygiene before touching a patient is negligence, while performing a procedure without informed consent is malpractice.
Q3: What are quasi-intentional torts and how do they occur?
Quasi-intentional torts are acts based on speech against another person that cause economic harm or damage to reputation, even though intent to harm is not directed at the individual. These include slander, defamation of character, and libel. They result from careless or reckless speech rather than deliberate harmful actions, making them distinct from intentional torts.
Q4: What constitutes defamation of character in a healthcare environment?
Defamation of character occurs when false statements damage an individual's reputation. In healthcare settings, this includes spreading unfounded rumors about a patient's medical history or personal life within the facility. Defamation can be verbal (slander) or written (libel), and both harm the patient's reputation and may result in legal liability for the healthcare provider.
Q5: Why is informed consent important in preventing malpractice claims?
Informed consent ensures patients understand procedures and their risks before treatment begins. Failure to obtain informed consent before performing a procedure constitutes malpractice, an unintentional tort that results in patient injury or harm. Healthcare providers must meet the standard of practice by obtaining consent, protecting both patients and providers from legal liability.
Q6: How can healthcare-associated infections result from negligence?
Healthcare-associated infections result from negligence when nurses fail to follow essential hygiene practices like handwashing. Negligence is failing to provide patients with minimum care within designated standards, resulting in injury or death. When a nurse neglects hand hygiene before touching a patient, the patient may develop an infection, demonstrating how failure to meet care standards causes patient harm.
Q7: What role does the standard of practice play in determining malpractice?
The standard of practice defines the level of care a reasonably prudent professional would provide under similar circumstances. Malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider's actions fall below this accepted standard and result in patient injury or harm. Understanding and adhering to standards of care is essential for nurses to fulfill their accountability and responsibility nurse obligations and avoid legal consequences.