Standard of Care Analysis — Case Review Template
This must be completed AFTER chronology and BEFORE causation analysis.
Purpose
You are determining: ✔ What should have happened ✔ What actually happened ✔ Whether there was a meaningful deviation This is NOT a checklist exercise. This is a **clinical judgment step tied to outcome impact**.
Step 1 — Define Applicable Standard
AI MAY assist by identifying:
  • Relevant guidelines
  • Typical protocols
  • Expected actions for condition
YOU MUST CONFIRM:
  • Correct provider type (ER, hospital, specialist)
  • Correct clinical setting
  • Correct time-specific standard
  • Standard actually applies to THIS case
Incorrect standard = invalid analysis
Step 2 — AI Comparison (What Was Done vs Expected)
AI compares:
  • Documented actions
  • Expected actions
  • Timing of interventions
AI OUTPUT:
  • Possible deviations
  • Missed steps
  • Timing concerns
AI suggestions are NOT conclusions
Step 3 — Clinician Deviation Determination
YOU MUST DETERMINE:
  • Did a deviation occur?
  • Was the deviation clinically meaningful?
  • Was it a judgment call or a failure?
  • Would a reasonable provider have acted differently?
Step 4 — Materiality (Critical Step)
A deviation ONLY matters if it:
  • Impacts patient outcome
  • Changes clinical trajectory
  • Creates or worsens harm
If it does NOT: 👉 It is NOT a case-driving deviation
Step 5 — Link to Timeline
YOU MUST ALIGN:
  • Deviation with exact timestamp
  • Deviation with inflection point
  • Deviation with missed opportunity
If deviation is not tied to timeline → it is weak
Step 6 — Defense Challenge Test
Ask:
  • How will defense justify this action?
  • Is there a reasonable alternative explanation?
  • Is this hindsight bias?
If yes → strengthen or revise your position
Final Standard of Care Determination
You must clearly define:
  • Deviation present OR not present
  • Degree of deviation (minor / moderate / critical)
  • Whether deviation impacted outcome
If unclear → STOP. Do not proceed to causation.
Output Requirements
A complete SOC analysis must provide:
  • Clear standard definition
  • Side-by-side comparison (expected vs actual)
  • Clinically justified deviation conclusion
  • Outcome relevance
Define Standard → Compare Actions → Determine Deviation → Test Materiality → Link to Timeline → Validate