What term describes the unilateral termination of care by an EMT without the patient's consent?

The term that describes the unilateral termination of care by an EMT without the patient's consent is abandonment. In the context of emergency medical services, abandonment occurs when a healthcare provider, such as an EMT, decides to stop providing care to a patient after initiating treatment, without the patient’s agreement or without transferring care to another qualified professional. This can lead to adverse outcomes for the patient and raises ethical and legal concerns.

Abandonment is particularly significant in emergency care because it underscores the provider's duty to continue care until a patient is stabilized or safely handed off to another medical professional. Ensuring that the patient has received adequate care and that their needs are addressed is crucial for maintaining patient safety and trust in medical services.