Running head: STANDARD OF CARE
Standard of Care
Zaid Naima Walden University
STANDARD OF CARE
Standard of Care
Standard of care refers to the degree of care that a similar healthcare professional would
exercise under the same circumstances. It is essential to establish the standard of care for each
industry, especially in healthcare, as it had a direct impact on patient care and morbidity
(Angriman et al., 2019). This paper aims to analyze and describe how the standard of care is
determined in the State of Kansas. Furthermore, the paper will discuss how these standards
enhance the efforts intended to improve health outcomes at healthcare organizations by the
development of procedures, clinical practice guidelines, policies, and regulations.
Determination of Stand of Care
Clinical practice guidelines are usually created by multidisciplinary teams of experts in
medical fields and only count as "standards" when an overwhelming majority of doctors agree to
them. Medical journals play a significant role in the development of stand care as an accepted
form of practice across the nation (Panagiotou, 2018). These medical journals are based on
various research methodologies to compare, analyze, and prove the better treatment options for
various ailments such as cancer, surgery methods, or even common cold. The standard of care
can also be recalibrated and vetted by peer-reviewed medical journals, as research in the field of
medicine enables better ways of treating patients (Ferrell et al., 2017).
Jurisdictions and Standards of Care
A significant influence on the standard of care can be attributed to the locality rule. This
rule can enforce policies, regulations, and what deems a standard of care in each state or locale.
The rule is grounded on the notion that a national standard of care is occasionally too hard to
regulate and that the standard only wants to be appropriate to an area. The rule is often attributed
to the 1880 malpractice case Small v. Howard, where the judge ruled that a doctor's negligence in
STANDARD OF CARE
caring for a wound was not malpractice because the doctor practiced in a rural area and should
not be judged against metropolitan doctors with better education and resources (Head, 2001).
National Standard
A national standard of care was noted in 1985 in Hall v. Hilbun. The court recognized
that the "nationalization" of medical education and training had created uniform standards for
doctors across the country. The court also noted that modern doctors go to school and practice in
different states, and even relocate to other states. Nevertheless, physicians all over the country
are to maintain the same standard of care regardless of the place of practice within the
regulations and laws of the state (Hyder & Dawson, 2005).
The State of Kansas Standard of Care
In the State of Kansas, the standard of care is defined in various ways, but all are
stemming from what is accepted by the medical society and has been published in peer-reviewed
medical journals. The standards of care guidelines adopted by physicians and healthcare
organization have been