Which action constitutes battery under healthcare law?

The action that constitutes battery under healthcare law is touching a patient without consent. Battery in a healthcare context refers to unauthorized physical contact with a patient, which can occur if a healthcare provider performs a procedure or touches a patient without obtaining their explicit permission. This is significant because it violates the patient's autonomy and right to make informed decisions about their own body.

Informed consent before treatment, while crucial in healthcare, is actually a protective measure against battery rather than an act of battery itself. This process ensures that a patient understands the risks and benefits of a treatment or procedure and agrees to it voluntarily. Documenting patient history accurately is vital for providing quality care but does not pertain directly to the legal definition of battery. Discussing treatment options with a patient aligns with ethical practice and informed consent, facilitating patient involvement in their care, and also does not constitute battery, as it involves dialogue rather than physical contact.