What is the term for any unforeseen event that is not a natural consequence of a patient's illness?

The term that describes any unforeseen event that is not a natural consequence of a patient's illness is referred to as adverse events. Adverse events are incidents that occur during medical care and can result from various factors, not necessarily related to the underlying condition of the patient. This can include anything from unexpected reactions to medications to complications arising from surgical procedures, which do not align with the expected course of treatment or recovery.

This distinction allows for better understanding and communication regarding patient safety and quality of care. Recognizing that an adverse event is not directly caused by the patient's current health status but rather is an incident tied to the healthcare process itself can help in improving protocols and practices to prevent such occurrences in the future.