What is the term for the unintended harm caused by a healthcare professional due to negligence?

The term for the unintended harm caused by a healthcare professional due to negligence is malpractice. In the context of healthcare, malpractice refers specifically to a professional failing to provide the standard of care that is expected in their field, resulting in injury or harm to a patient. This can occur when a healthcare worker's actions, or lack thereof, fall below the accepted level of competence, leading to negative outcomes for the patient.

In the legal landscape, malpractice involves specific elements such as the duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and damages, making it a critical concept in understanding legal accountability in healthcare settings. This contrasts with the other terms: slander and libel pertain to the false statements made that harm someone's reputation, with slander being spoken and libel being written; these do not relate to patient care or professional negligence.