Abandonment * Patient abandonment is determined by two conditions (Morris, 2010). First, when the patient assignment is acknowledged and a nurse-patient relationship is established. Second, when the nurse-patient relationship unexpectedly ends and the continuation of care is not passed on to another health care provider (Morris, 2010). Patient abandonment may also occur when health care providers leave without notice or patient consent and do not give the patient enough time to find a replacement. Health care providers have an ethical and legal duty to avoid abandonment (Indest, 2012). Patient abandonment will be viewed as medical malpractice if the patient suffered harm as a result of the termination of care (Indest, 2012). It is not
