What term describes the destruction or alteration of medical records by an unauthorized person?

The term that describes the destruction or alteration of medical records by an unauthorized person is spoliation. Spoliation refers specifically to the improper handling of evidence, which includes the destruction, alteration, or concealment of records or data that are pertinent to legal or investigative processes. This concept is particularly relevant in medical contexts, as medical records are vital for patient care and legal documentation. When records are tampered with or destroyed, it can lead to significant legal consequences and adversely affect patient safety and continuity of care.

Negligence pertains to a failure to take proper care in doing something, which can result in harm or damage but does not specifically address the unauthorized alteration of records. Consequentialism is an ethical theory that evaluates the morality of actions based on their outcomes, not directly related to unauthorized actions or recordkeeping. Similarly, contributory negligence is a legal concept where a party’s own negligence contributes to the harm suffered; this does not capture the specific act of unauthorized destruction or alteration of records. Thus, spoliation is the most accurate term to describe this scenario.