A hospital employee destroyed a health record to prevent damaging evidence at trial. What legal term describes this action?

The action of a hospital employee destroying a health record to prevent damaging evidence at trial is described as spoliation. This legal term specifically refers to the intentional alteration or destruction of evidence that is relevant to a legal proceeding. In this context, spoliation implicates both the unethical handling of records and the potential legal repercussions that may arise from such an act, particularly in cases where the integrity of evidence is crucial to a case's outcome. The destruction of health records not only undermines the legal process but also violates regulations related to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of patient records.

The other terms do not apply in this context. For instance, mutilation often refers to physical harm or alteration rather than destruction for legal advantage. Destruction is a broader term that does not specifically convey the intent behind the act, while spoilage generally relates to the process of decay or deterioration, largely outside the legal definition of evidence handling. Therefore, spoliation is the most accurate term for this scenario as it encompasses the intent to alter the course of legal proceedings through the destruction of evidence.