What term is used to define a failure to follow established procedure, treatment prescription, or an event that causes patient injury or death?

The term that defines a failure to follow established procedure or treatment prescription that results in patient injury or death is "adverse event." An adverse event refers specifically to any undesirable experience associated with the use of a medical product or intervention, where the injury or negative outcome occurs as a direct or indirect result of care.

These events are significant because they highlight critical areas in patient safety and quality of care, prompting healthcare professionals and organizations to review and improve their practices to prevent similar incidents in the future. Understanding and identifying adverse events allows for better reporting, analysis, and ultimately, enhancements to patient care protocols.

In contrast, an incident report is a document used to record details about an adverse event or error but does not itself define the event. A near miss refers to situations where an error was avoided before it could result in harm, and malpractice pertains specifically to a breach of duty by a healthcare provider that leads to patient harm due to negligence. Thus, "adverse event" encompasses the broader implications of failure in procedure relating directly to patient outcomes.