The medical staff section actively counsels clients concerning medical staff credentialing, peer review, quality improvement, and discipline and medical staff governance issues. We regularly attend medical staff meetings, and provide advice to hospital and medical staff leadership on the legal issues associated with medical staff governance. Our medical staff attorneys also prepare medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, as well as risk management plans and policies designed to minimize claims against health care providers. Our group is particularly experienced in assisting hospitals in the defense of medical staff disputes, and we have handled all aspects of preparing fair hearing litigation. We understand the connection and distinction between medical staff and employment relationships and effectively manage both situations when present. Our strategy is to help clients seek favorable early resolution and avoid litigation if possible. However, we have the litigation experience to effectively handle medical staff disputes requiring resolution in an adversarial venue.
Examples of work in the medical staff section include:

• Analysis and proposed revisions to medical staff bylaws
• Restructuring of medical staffs
• Advice and counsel regarding peer review and discipline issues
• Counsel and advise clients regarding medical staff appointment / reappointment and clinical privilege delineation for physicians and allied health professionals
• Representation of clients during fair hearings
• Counsel and advise clients regarding the National Practitioner Data Bank and state reporting requirements
• Development of harassment and disruptive practitioner policies
• Draft contracts with practitioners to correct peer review and credentialing concerns
• Manage issues related to protection of peer review documents and sharing of confidential peer review and credentialing information
• Representation in any litigation related to peer review and credentialing issues