Can my wife sue for medical malpractice?

The hospital can't issue you a lawful order, they are not your commander.

EFMP takes as long as it takes. It only comes into play when you're getting your next assignment, it has nothing to do with your current assignment or command.

If your chain of command is not allowing you to drive your spouse at all times, that is a command issue. However, your job is to be a Soldier not a personal driver and you will face the same dilemma in the private sector.

Your command can absolutely ask for proof of her condition without violating her privacy. A simple note from the doctor stating her needs will suffice.

There is no legal order here, in fact, nothing about this has anything to do with medicine or malpractice. There are no laws at play here so there is no legal recourse or reason to sue. At best this is a command issue.

I don’t see in your discussion anything saying a medical provider did anything incorrect. It looks like your complaint is with your chain of command not letting you off work to be your wife’s caregiver.

I’m my wife’s full time caregiver. It’s not easy. I retired from a good Army Civilian job to do it. I'm glad I did. Here's my advice to you.

-Forget the lawsuit. A lawsuit sets up an adversarial relationship. You need help, not adversaries.

-Make sure your chain of command, from your team leader to your Commander, understands the situation with your wife. My wife began to need some support during my 5th year of service. For the next 17 years I worked with my chains of command to make sure I could help her when she needed it while still doing the mission.

-It is possible for medical providers to provide proof of your wife's conditions to your chain of command. Your wife needs to ask one practitioner, normally a general practice doctor or nurse practitioner, to provide a statement about her medical condition to your Commander. The statement needs to generally explain her condition, the effect that condition has on her ability to care for herself, and the assistance she needs with essential activities. Once the Commander receives the information, then any other officer or sergeant who "needs proof" can be told, politely, "the Unit Commander has the information from our doctor."

-Ask your chain of command, probably your first sergeant, to help you transfer to a non-combat job where you won't be subject to going to the field or being deployed. There's lots of support MOSs where the Soldiers are often "home for dinner every night." Supply, finance, medical administration, communications and IT at installation level. Your chain of command may be willing to help you get out of the infantry unit for your own good, the benefit of your wife, and the general reduction of hassle for them.

-Look for organizations and charities that can help you and your wife with her transportation and other needs. Where I live there's a bus service operated by the local Community College that provides free rides for people with special needs to medical appointments, grocery stores, etc. There are many organizations associated with various diseases, the MS Society comes to mind, that provide help and support for both people with specific diseases and their families. Reach out to any that might help you.

-Talk with your chaplain or religious leader. You and your wife need spiritual support.

Medical malpractice is a legal cause of action that occurs when a medical or health care professional, through a negligent act or omission, deviates from standards in their profession, thereby causing injury to a patient. The negligence might arise from errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare or health management

Based on the nature of your question, then no. Because the Medical Provider gave directions that you are to drive her. If it is your command that doesn't give you the time to do that, then this would not fall under medical malpractice, based on my understanding of the definition.