Malpractice: Failure to follow proper rules or training. (Doing something wrong when you should’ve known better.)

Question

Some examples of malpractice include not getting enough patient consent, performing surgery on the wrong body part, misdiagnosing a serious illness, and perscribing the wrong medication.

Negligence: A careless accident or mistake that ends up hurting the patient.

Some examples of negligence include giving the wrong medication to a patient, forgetting to check vitals/perform certain tasks for a patient, not cleaning tools properly, and not watching a patient closely enough.

The role of a Medical Assistant is to perform clinical and administrative tasks and use their skills to ensure operations are running smoothly and safely.
What can i respond to this classmate ?

Answer 1

It's great to see your clear distinction between malpractice and negligence; it's an important aspect of understanding medical practices. I appreciate how you highlighted specific examples to clarify each term.

It’s crucial for Medical Assistants to be aware of these concepts as they navigate their responsibilities. Ensuring proper patient consent, adhering to protocols, and being detail-oriented can significantly minimize the risk of both malpractice and negligence. Have you thought about the ways that Medical Assistants can advocate for patient safety in their daily tasks? It might be interesting to discuss strategies for effective communication with patients and team members to enhance compliance with safety protocols!