What is the term used to describe the misuse of property?

The term "misappropriation" specifically refers to the unauthorized use of someone else's property or funds for personal gain or other improper purposes. In a healthcare context, this can involve actions like using a resident's personal belongings or financial resources without consent, which represents a serious ethical and legal violation. It encompasses not only theft but also any instance where someone in a position of trust takes or uses property inappropriately.

In contrast, abandonment refers to the failure to provide care or supervision to someone who needs it, while mismanagement typically involves poor handling or oversight of resources or responsibilities, but not necessarily for personal gain. Negligence, on the other hand, pertains to a failure to take proper care to avoid causing injury or loss, but doesn't necessarily involve the unauthorized use of property. Each of these terms highlights different types of misconduct, but misappropriation is the precise term for unauthorized misuse of property.