Emergency Physicians Monthly - February 3, 2016 - By William Sullivan
"The term “Standard of Care” has been misused and abused. It is time to replace it with a phrase which more accurately conveys the realities of modern medicine...
When the meanings of words become prone to misunderstanding or misuse, they should be removed from our lexicon. It is time to retire the notion that there is some mythical “standard” of care to which every physician should adhere and be judged. The “standard” by which all human interactions are judged is one of “reasonableness,” and medical care should be no different. Reasonableness does not require perfection. Reasonableness only requires ordinary care and prudence.
For these reasons, we propose that the term “standard of care” be retired and replaced with “reasonable practice.” The terms are legally equivalent, but “reasonable practice” is far less prone to misinterpretation by experts and juries."
