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The standard of care in medical malpractice refers to the expectation of how a competent professional should act in a particular situation. This standard establishes the conduct that is expected of healthcare providers when treating patients. It is determined by what a similarly qualified professional would do in the same or similar circumstances.

The purpose of this standard is to create a benchmark that can be used to evaluate the actions of medical professionals. If a provider's actions fall below this standard, it may constitute negligence, leading to potential malpractice claims. In essence, understanding the standard of care is crucial for assessing the quality of care provided and ensuring that patients receive safe and effective treatment.

This concept does not relate to physical health outcomes, the average hospital's performance, or emergency treatment thresholds, as those aspects pertain to different facets of healthcare delivery and do not specifically define how healthcare professionals should conduct themselves in practice.