Bylaws
of the Medical Staff
of the
Brigham and Women’s
Hospital
(Effective January 4, 2010)
CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I:
PURPOSE
1
ARTICLE II:
Section 1:
Section 2:
ORGANIZATION OF THE MEDICAL STAFF
Departments
Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization, Inc.
(BWPO)
1
1
3
ARTICLE III:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:
Section 8:
MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications
Board Certification
Ethics and Ethical Relationships
Term of Appointment
Equal Opportunity
Balanced Use of Hospital Resources
Procedures for Appointment and Reappointment
Temporary and Disaster Privileges
3
3
4
5
5
5
5
6
12
ARTICLE IV:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:
Section 8:
Section 9:
Section 10:
Section 11:
Section 12:
Section 13:
Section 14:
Section 15:
CATEGORIES OF THE MEDICAL STAFF
The Medical Staff
Active Staff
Affiliate Staff
Adjunct Staff
Senior Consulting Staff
Honorary Staff
Research Staff
Visiting Staff
House Staff, Clinical Fellows and Research Fellows
Consultative Staff
Courtesy Staff
Graduate Assistant Staff
Clinical Consulting Staff
Change in Staff Category
Advanced Practice Professionals
12
12
13
13
14
15
15
16
16
16
17
18
19
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20
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ARTICLE V:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Definitions
Grounds for Disciplinary Action
Initiation of Disciplinary Action Process
Summary Action
Automatic Revocation, Restriction or Suspension
21
21
21
22
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23
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Section 6:
Section 7:
Section 8:
Section 9:
Section 10:
Section 11:
Section 12:
Section 13:
Section 14:
Referral of Certain Matters to Harvard Medical School for
Inquiry and Investigation
Referral of Certain Matters to Partners Institutional Review
Boards and Human Research Affairs
Hospital Acceptance of Fact Findings
Preliminary Inquiry
Recommendation Concerning Appropriate Disciplinary Action,
if any
Right to Hearing
Recommendation Concerning Disciplinary Action By Medical
Staff Conduct Committee
Board of Trustees Review
Reporting of Disciplinary Actions
25
25
26
26
26
28
29
30
30
ARTICLE VI:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
MEDICAL STAFF HEALTH PROGRAM
Objectives
Definition of “Affected Medical Staff Member”
The Program
ARTICLE VII:
Section 1:
Section 2:
PHYSICIANS’ COUNCIL
33
Membership
33
Medical Staff Representation on Physicians’ Council; Co-Chairs;
Past Co-Chair
33
Functions of Physicians’ Council
34
Section 3:
30
30
30
31
ARTICLE VIII:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
MEETINGS
General Meeting of the Medical Staff
Quorum and Voting
Special Meetings
34
34
34
34
ARTICLE IX:
Section 1:
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
Section 2:
COMMITTEES
Committees of the Medical Staff
Standing Committees
Other Committees
General Provisions Regarding Medical Staff Committees
Medical Staff Executive Committee
Medical Staff Conduct Committee
Medical Staff Credentialing Committee
Cancer Committee
Quality Assurance/Risk Management Committee
Department Committees
35
35
35
35
35
36
37
37
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37
38
ARTICLE X:
Section 1:
Section 2:
PATIENT CARE ASSESSMENT
Patient Care Assessment Program
Care Improvement Council
38
38
38
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Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Patient Care Assessment Coordinator
Patient Care Assessment Plan
Medical Peer Review Committee
Procedure for Investigation and Resolution of Reports
Concerning Health Care Providers
39
39
39
40
ARTICLE XI:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
General
Medical History and Physical Examination
Supervision of Trainees
40
40
41
41
ARTICLE XII:
AMENDMENTS
41
ARTICLE XIII:
Section 1:
MISCELLANEOUS
Severability
41
41
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THE BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL, INC.
BYLAWS OF THE MEDICAL STAFF
ARTICLE I:
PURPOSE
The purpose of the organization is to bring medical staff members who practice at the
Hospital together into a cohesive body to promote high quality patient care, research and
medical education in order to meet the needs of the community it serves. To this end,
among other activities, it will assist in screening applicants for staff membership, review
privileges of members, evaluate and assist in improving the work done by the staff, and
offer advice and assistance to the Chief Medical Officer and President.
ARTICLE II:
Section 1:
1.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MEDICAL STAFF
Departments
The medical staff shall be divided into the following Departments as determined
and approved by the Board of Trustees:
Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
Medicine (including medical sub-specialties)
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Obstetrics and Gynecology (including Newborn Medicine)
Orthopaedic Surgery (Podiatry)
Pathology
Psychiatry
Radiation Oncology
Radiology
Surgery (including surgical sub-specialties and Dentistry)
2.
The President with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Department
Chairs may recommend to the Medical Staff Executive Committee the creation of
a new Department. The Medical Staff Executive Committee upon a two-thirds
(2/3) affirmative vote shall forward such a recommendation to the Board of
Trustees for action. The Board of Trustees may also on its own initiative create or
discontinue a Department.
3.
If, in the interest of departmental organization, it is desirable to subdivide the
activities of a Department into formally constituted divisions, the Chair of the
Department may so recommend to the Chief Medical Officer with identification
of the scope of the proposed division(s). The Chief Medical Officer will forward
the proposal with his/her recommendation to the Board of Trustees for action.
4.
Each Department shall be headed by a physician appointed by the Board of
Trustees in consultation with the President, the Chief Medical Officer and the
Medical Staff Executive Committee. Said appointment shall be based on criteria
approved by the President, the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Staff Executive
Committee and the Board of Trustees. The Department Chair shall have
corresponding oversight and responsibilities within the Brigham and Women’s
Physicians Organization (BWPO). The responsibilities of the Department Chairs
shall be carried out in concert with the functions and objectives of the Hospital
and the BWPO. The Department Chairs shall be responsible for formulating and
directing educational, research and clinical activities within their Departments.
Furthermore, Partners HealthCare System, Inc. (Partners) may from time to time
appoint at the Partners level a Chair to oversee the integration of a Department or
Division at the Hospital and its counterpart at the Massachusetts General Hospital
and/or other Partners affiliates, and the ongoing operation of the consolidated
Department or Division. The relative authority and responsibilities of the Partners
Chair and the Hospital shall be delegated and described as necessary in
appropriate documents.
5.
Deputy, Vice, Associate or Assistant Department Chairs shall be appointed upon
recommendation by the Chair of the Department with approval by the President
and the Chief Medical Officer.
6.
Division Directors shall be appointed upon recommendation by the Chair of the
Department with approval by the President and Chief Medical Officer.
7.
All Medical Staff members shall have a primary departmental affiliation. Except
as otherwise specifically approved by the Chief Medical Officer, the primary
departmental affiliation must coincide with the medical staff member’s residency
(or equivalent) training. In appropriate instances with the approval of the
concerned Department Chairs, the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee, and
the Medical Staff Executive Committee, joint appointments to more than one
Department may be made. In no instance, however, shall such individuals have
more than one vote in Medical Staff affairs.
8.
Physicians, dentists, psychologists, chiropractors and podiatrists responsible for
patient care at BWH shall be conferred staff titles within their Department upon
nomination by its Chair and approval of the Medical Staff Executive Committee
as follows:
(a) Associate xxxx (xxxx equals Anesthesiologist, Chiropractor, Dentist,
Dermatologist, Physician, Neonatalogist, Obstetrician/Gynecologist,
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Pathologist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Radiation
Oncologist, Radiologist, Neurologist, Neurosurgeon or Surgeon as
appropriate) – the usual entry level onto the staff of an individual who has
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completed residency and fellowship training (e.g., Associate
Anesthesiologist).
(b) xxxx – the usual grade reached by mature, well-known staff members who
have established regional or national reputations (e.g., Anesthesiologist).
(c) Senior xxxx – reserved for those staff members who have achieved
international stature and distinction in their field and/or who have rendered
unusual and conspicuous service to BWH (e.g., Senior Anesthesiologist).
For those staff members without patient care responsibilities, staff titles will be
conferred as follows: (a) Associate xxxx, Department of yyyy (e.g., Associate
Biochemist, Department of Radiology); (b) xxxx, Department of yyyy (e.g.,
Biochemist, Department of Radiology); (c) Senior xxxx, Department of yyyy
(e.g., Senior Biochemist, Department of Radiology).
Section 2:
Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization, Inc. (BWPO)
The BWPO is the physician organization and faculty practice plan affiliated with
the Hospital. The Hospital and the BWPO have common clinical Departments, as
described in Section 1 of this Article II, each of which is headed by a single Chair
with corresponding responsibilities to the Hospital and the BWPO. Members of
the BWPO are members of the Medical Staff of the Hospital in staff categories as
are defined in these Bylaws. The BWPO serves as a vehicle for organization,
communication and representation of members of the Hospital’s Medical Staff.
ARTICLE III:
Section 1:
MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications
The Medical Staff shall consist of physicians, dentists, psychologists,
chiropractors and podiatrists who are licensed to practice in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, and other qualified
personnel. Members of the Medical Staff shall be competent in their respective
fields and worthy in terms of professional ethics. They shall meet and continue to
meet the requirements in Article IV concerning the categories of the Medical Staff
for which they apply, and all the applicable standards, criteria and policies of their
respective Department and the Medical Staff, the Bylaws and policies and
procedures of the Medical Staff, and the Bylaws and applicable policies of the
Hospital and of Partners, and any condition or restriction imposed on any
appointment or privilege granted by the Hospital in the credentialing or
disciplinary action process.
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A member of the Medical Staff holding clinical privileges shall maintain in force
malpractice insurance coverage in an amount and with a carrier acceptable to the
Hospital.
Section 2:
Board Certification
Each physician, dentist, chiropractor and podiatrist who is an applicant for initial
appointment to the Active Staff shall be certified by the appropriate American
specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the
American Osteopathic Association, the American Dental Association, the
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, or the American Podiatric
Association, and shall maintain such certification for the duration of his/her
medical staff membership. Exceptions to this requirement are as follows:
109898v3
(a)
Physicians, dentists, chiropractors and podiatrists who are already
members of the Active Staff on December 31, 2006 shall be
exempt from this requirement unless otherwise required by law.
(b)
Physicians, dentists, chiropractors and podiatrists whose specialty
and practice at the Hospital does not include a specialty for which
there is an appropriate Board certification available, as determined
by the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee in conjunction with
the Chief Medical Officer.
(c)
Physicians, dentists, chiropractors and podiatrists who are
applicants for initial membership to the Active Staff, and who have
completed all specialty training required to take their Board
examination, but are not yet Board certified, may be granted
membership and/or privileges on the Active Staff subject to a
requirement that they obtain certification within five (5) years of
completion of the requirements necessary to take their Board
examination. In such a case, the applicant will be informed at the
time initial membership and/privileges are granted that he or she
will be required to show proof of successful completion of
specialty board certification within a specified period of time.
(d)
In the event that a physician, dentist, chiropractor or podiatrist who
is an applicant for initial appointment to the Active Staff is not
board certified and will not be able to meet the requirements for
obtaining Board certification as specified in subsection (c) above,
but holds particularly outstanding credentials, this requirement
may be waived by the Board of Trustees upon written
recommendation of the Department Chair, the Chief Medical
Officer, the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee and the
Medical Staff Executive Committee.
4
Section 3:
(e)
A deadline for Board certification may be extended or waived by
the Board of Trustees upon written recommendation of the
Department Chair, the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Staff
Credentialing Committee and the Medical Staff Executive
Committee in the case of an applicant with outstanding credentials,
or in compelling circumstances.
(f)
In the event that the Board certification requirement has been
waived or extended for a given applicant, his or her application
will otherwise remain subject to the same review criteria and
approval process as would apply if there were no waiver.
Ethics and Ethical Relationships
The principles and codes of ethics as adopted and amended by the American
Medical Association, the American Dental Association, the American
Psychological Association, the American Chiropractic Association and the
American Podiatric Medical Association, as well as applicable policies of the
Hospital and Partners shall guide the professional conduct of the members of the
Medical Staff.
Section 4:
Term of Appointment
Appointments to the Medical Staff shall be made by the Board of Trustees upon
recommendation of the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee, the Medical Staff
Executive Committee and the Care Improvement Council, as applicable, for a
period of not longer than two years. Initial appointment to the Active, Affiliate
and Adjunct Staffs shall be provisional. The reappointment of a provisional
member of the Active, Affiliate and Adjunct staffs may also be made provisional;
provided however, that the sum of the terms of the provisional appointments shall
not exceed four (4) years.
Section 5:
Equal Opportunity
No qualified applicant shall be rejected from membership in the Medical Staff on
the basis of race, gender, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, disability or
sexual orientation.
Section 6:
Balanced Use of Hospital Resources
The Board of Trustees, or committee thereof, in order to fulfill its commitment to
assure balanced use of Hospital resources, may impose restrictions upon or
designate special conditions for Staff selection.
(a) Depending upon the clinical and academic needs of the individual
Departments and the availability of Hospital resources, membership in any
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Medical Staff category in a Department or part thereof may be limited in
number or closed to new applicants by the Board of Trustees, or committee
thereof, upon the recommendation of the Chair of the Department and the
Medical Staff Executive Committee.
(b) Each Departmental Chair, after consultation with Division Directors, the
Departmental Executive Committee, the Chief Medical Officer and the
President or his designee, shall regularly review the clinical and academic
needs of the Department and the availability of Hospital resources, and
recommend whether membership in any Medical Staff category or part thereof
should be limited or closed. If a Department Chair wishes to propose any
such limit or closure, the Chair shall submit a written recommendation to this
effect to the Medical Staff Executive Committee. Any recommendation
approved by the Medical Staff Executive Committee will be forwarded to the
Board of Trustees, or committee thereof, for final action.
(c) Any limit on the size of or closure of membership in any category of the
Medical Staff in a Department or part thereof will apply prospectively only to
new applicants for membership in the affected category or part thereof and
will not affect existing members of the affected category or part thereof.
(d) If any moratorium is imposed pursuant to this section on prospective
membership in any category or part thereof of the Medical Staff in any
Department, no applications for appointments to the positions covered will be
evaluated during the moratorium. Persons whose applications are not
reviewed due to such a moratorium are not entitled to the hearing and review
process available pursuant to Article V, Section 10.
Section 7:
Procedures for Appointment and Reappointment
A. Procedures for Initial Appointment to the Medical Staff
1. Application
(a) Applications for membership to the Medical Staff shall be presented in
writing to the Chair of the relevant Department on a form prescribed by the
Hospital. They shall set forth qualifications and references of the applicant
and signify his or her agreement to abide by the Bylaws and policies and
procedures of the Medical Staff, the Hospital, and Partners.
(b) Applicants for clinical privileges, and any others who have applied for
licensure or are currently licensed in Massachusetts, shall provide evidence of
current Massachusetts licensure or a pending application for Massachusetts
licensure.
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(c) Applicants for clinical privileges, and any others who have applied for
licensure or are currently licensed in Massachusetts, must submit copies or
their most recent Massachusetts licensure application forms including all
attachments and other explanatory materials submitted with the application.
(d) References shall be provided by individuals knowledgeable about the
applicant’s competence, ethics and character.
(e) Each application form must provide verifiable information relative to medical,
dental, psychological, chiropractic or podiatric education and training.
(f) Each application form must provide the names of all health care facilities with
which the applicant has been associated and the reasons for discontinuance of
these associations.
(g) Applicants shall agree to the release by the facilities with which they have
been associated of any information which is relevant to the assessment of their
ethics, character or competence to practice medicine.
(h) Applicants shall provide information about malpractice insurance coverage
and a listing of all malpractice claims pending or closed during the previous
ten (10) years.
(i) Applicants shall agree to the release to the Hospital by their malpractice
liability insurance carriers of information as to claims or actions for damages,
whether or not there has been a final disposition.
(j) Applicants shall provide a description of any pending, threatened or final
disciplinary or other adverse action (whether voluntary or involuntary), as
defined in Article V, Section 1, by any healthcare facility, professional
organization, or licensing or regulatory agency.
(k) Each applicant shall authorize the Hospital and its agents to exchange
information with any other health care facility and with any professional
organization with which the applicant is or was associated, regarding any
pending, threatened or final disciplinary or other adverse action (whether
voluntary or involuntary).
(l) Each applicant must agree to undergo a mental or physical examination prior
to or during the term of his/her appointment if requested to determine whether
the applicant is able to perform the essential functions of the position for
which he/she has applied or the privileges he/she has requested according to
accepted standards of professional performance and without posing a threat to
patients.
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(m) Applicants shall provide evidence that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
requirement for continuing education has been met (or waiver received).
(n) Each applicant for privileges shall complete a delineation form, specifying the
areas in which he/she seeks privileges, and provide such supporting
documentation of competence in these areas as requested by the Hospital.
o) Prior to review pursuant to Section 7.A.2 below, the Chair of any Department
may recommend that the President of the Hospital or authorized designee
(said authorized designees include but are not limited to the Chief Medical
Officer, the Associate Chief Medical Officer and the Chair of the Medical
Staff Credentialing Committee) grant, and the President or his authorized
designees may grant, preliminary privileges for a limited period of time not to
exceed that which is allowed by the Board of Registration in Medicine
pending credentialing to any applicant with current Massachusetts licensure
who satisfies the criteria for Category 1 Applicants as described in Section A.
2. (f) below and for whom the Chair has received his/her: (1) most recent
application for a license to practice medicine, dentistry, podiatry, chiropractics
or psychology, as applicable in Massachusetts; (2) Drug Enforcement
Administration number; (3) evidence of malpractice insurance; (4) any
information required pursuant to the Hospital’s health screening policy of
subsection l above; (5) appropriate references; and (6) results of the queries to
the National Practitioner Data Bank and the Criminal Offender Record
Information, and has found them satisfactory.
2. Application Review and Investigation
(a) The Chair of each Department shall transmit the application to the Credentials
Committee of the Department, which shall review the character,
qualifications, and standing of the applicant.
(b) The review of each application shall include inquiries of each health care
facility with which the applicant has been associated during the past ten years,
regarding the health care facility’s assessment of professional skills, and
information regarding any pending or final disciplinary or other adverse
action, and any other information relevant to the applicant’s character or
professional competence. With respect to applicants for clinical privileges,
these inquiries shall also cover clinical skills and malpractice claims pending
or closed during the previous ten (10) years.
(c) The names of the applicants to a particular Department may be circulated
among the members of that Department. Comments on the applicant from
Staff members may be made to and should be considered by the appropriate
Departmental Credentials Committee prior to its decision.
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(d) The Departmental Credentials Committee shall make the appointment
decision concerning all applications by those individuals who are not seeking
privileges and/or who are not licensed in Massachusetts or seeking such
licensure. The Departmental Credentials Committee shall submit through its
Department Chair a report of all other applications it recommends for
approval to the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee. In both cases, all
applications shall be accompanied by the completed application forms, all
references obtained, and evidence of the verification of relevant data.
(e) Every recommendation for appointment by the Departmental Credentials
Committee shall include a recommendation concerning appropriate staff
category and, with respect to applicants for privileges, a delineation of any
privileges recommended. The recommendation of the Departmental
Credentials Committee for those applicants seeking privileges shall be
forwarded to the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee.
(f) Following a review of the applications and the report submitted by the
Departmental Credentials Committee, those applicants who satisfy criteria
adopted by the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee, the Medical Staff
Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees or committee thereof
(“Category 1 Applicants”) shall be reviewed by an expanded Medical Staff
Credentialing Committee which includes at least one (1) representative from
the Medical Staff Executive Committee with the authority to act on behalf of
the Medical Staff Executive Committee.
(g) The expanded Medical Staff Credentialing Committee shall prepare a
recommendation concerning such Category 1 Applicants. Category 1
Applications recommended for approval by the expanded Medical Staff
Credentialing Committee shall be transmitted to the Board of Trustees.
Applications recommended for rejection or approval with limitations by the
expanded Medical Staff Credentialing Committee shall be transmitted along
with all relevant application materials to the full Medical Staff Executive
Committee for review.
(h) The Board of Trustees at its next scheduled meeting shall either accept the
recommendation of the expanded Medical Staff Credentialing Committee with
respect to such Category 1 Applicants or shall reject or refer such applicants
to the full Medical Staff Executive Committee for review. The Board of
Trustees shall state the reasons for its decision to reject or refer any such
Category 1 Application. The appointment and privileges requested shall be
effective upon approval by the Board of Trustees. Provided, however, that in
the absence of a meeting of the Board of Trustees or in the absence of a
quorum at such meeting, upon recommendation by the Chief Medical Officer
or his designee, an ad hoc or standing committee consisting of at least three
(3) members of the Board of Trustees may approve the appointment of a
Category 1 applicant for a period not to exceed four (4) months.
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(i) The Board of Trustees shall consider any such appointments approved by the
ad hoc or standing committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting, and
shall accept, reject or refer the recommendation with respect to such
appointments in the manner described in section (h) above.
(j) Following a review of the applications and the report submitted by the
Departmental Credentials Committee, those applicants who do not satisfy
criteria adopted by the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee, the Medical
Staff Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees or committee thereof
(“Category 2 Applicants”) shall be reviewed by the Medical Staff
Credentialing Committee.
(k) The Medical Staff Credentialing Committee shall prepare a recommendation
with respect to each such Category 2 Applicant it reviews, and shall submit
such recommendation with all relevant application materials to the Medical
Staff Executive Committee.
(l) On receipt of the report of the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee, the
Medical Staff Executive Committee shall recommend that each Category 2
Application submitted to it be accepted, deferred, or rejected. Where a
recommendation to defer is made, it must be followed by one to accept or
reject the applicant within a reasonable time, in no case to exceed three (3)
months.
(m) The recommendation of the Medical Staff Executive Committee with respect
to such Category 2 Applicants shall be transmitted to the Care Improvement
Council for consideration.
(n) Upon receipt of the report of the Medical Staff Executive Committee, the Care
Improvement Council shall recommend that each Category 2 Application
submitted to it be accepted, deferred or rejected. Where a recommendation to
defer is made, it must be followed by one to accept or reject the applicant
within a reasonable time, in no case to exceed three (3) months.
(o) The recommendation of the Care Improvement Council with respect to such
Category 2 applicants shall be transmitted to the Board of Trustees for
consideration.
(p) The Board of Trustees shall either accept the recommendation of the Care
Improvement Council or shall reject or recommit the recommendation for
further consideration, stating the reasons for such rejection or recommittal.
The appointment and privileges requested for such Category 2 applicants shall
be effective upon approval by the Board of Trustees. Provided however, that
upon recommendation by the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee and the
Chief Medical Officer or his designee, an ad hoc or standing committee
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consisting of at least three (3) members of the Board of Trustees may approve
the appointment or reappointment of a Category 2 applicant for a period not to
exceed four (4) months in order to allow for additional review and evaluation
of such applicant. The Board of Trustees ad hoc or standing committee may
condition its approval on the imposition of any limitations, restrictions or
additional requirements it deems appropriate.
B. Procedures for Reappointment to the Medical Staff
1. Requests for reappointment to the Medical Staff must be submitted on a form
approved by the Hospital. They shall include all information, releases and
assurances required of initial applicants, except that the inquiry to health care
facilities specified in Section A.2.(b) above shall be limited to those health
care facilities with which the applicant has been associated during the past
three years.
2. The completed reappointment form must be submitted to the Chair of the
member’s Department. The Chair or the Departmental Credentials Committee
shall verify licensure status, required reports from other health care facilities,
and other relevant information provided by the member.
3. Reappointment to the Medical Staff shall be contingent upon an appraisal of
the Staff member’s character, qualifications, and standing by the Chair of the
relevant Department in conjunction with the Departmental Credentials
Committee. Such appraisal shall include, as applicable, a review of the
member’s professional and clinical performance, utilization and quality
assurance data, malpractice claims, disciplinary or other adverse actions,
patient complaints, professional conduct and behavior, continuing education,
attendance at Staff and Committee meetings, and compliance with the
applicable standards, criteria and policies of their respective Departments, the
Medical Staff, the Hospital and Partners, the Bylaws and policies and
procedures of the Medical Staff, the Bylaws of the Hospital, and any
condition or restriction imposed on the member’s appointment.
4. The recommendations of the Department Chairs will be forwarded to their
Departmental Credentials Committees. The relevant Departmental
Credentials Committee shall make the reappointment decision concerning all
those individuals in the Department who are not seeking privileges and/or
who are not licensed in Massachusetts or seeking licensure. The
recommendations of the Department Chairs and Departmental Credentials
Committees concerning all other applicants in the Department for
reappointment will be forwarded for review and action pursuant to the same
process and according to the same schedule applicable to applicants for initial
appointment.
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Section 8:
Temporary and Disaster Privileges
a.
The credentialing requirements set forth in Section 7 above do not apply when the
Hospital grants temporary privileges in accordance with the regulations of the
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine or disaster privileges in
accordance with Hospital policy.
b.
Temporary privileges may be extended to any qualified physician, dentist,
psychologist, chiropractor or podiatrist who is not a member of the Medical Staff
after authorization by a Department Chair or the Chief Medical Officer and the
Medical Staff Credentialing Committee. Prior to granting such privileges the
Department Chair must have received: (1) the most recent application for a
license to practice medicine, dentistry, podiatry, chiropractics or psychology, as
applicable in Massachusetts; (2) Drug Enforcement Administration number; (3)
evidence of malpractice insurance; (4) any information required pursuant to the
Hospital’s health screening policy of subsection l above; (5) appropriate
references; and (6) results of the query to the National Practitioner Data Bank, and
has found them satisfactory. Additionally the query for the Criminal Offender
Record Information must be submitted. Such privileges shall be for a limited
period of time not to exceed that which is allowed by the Board of Registration in
Medicine. In the exercise of such privileges, the physician, dentist, psychologist,
chiropractor or podiatrist shall be under the supervision of the Chair of the
Department or his/her designee in which the temporary appointment is made.
c.
Temporary privileges shall be immediately terminated by the Chief Medical
Officer (or designee) at his/her discretion or upon the request of the Department
Chair or the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee.
d.
The granting of temporary privileges is a courtesy on the part of the Hospital and
the granting, denial, restriction or termination of such temporary privileges shall
not entitle the individual concerned to any of the procedural rights provided in
Article V of these Bylaws, including but not limited to those procedures with
respect to preliminary inquiry, hearings and appellate review.
e.
Disaster privileges may be granted by the President or the Chief Medical Officer
of the Hospital or their designees which include, but are not limited to, the Chair
of the Medical Staff Credentialing Committee and the President of the BWPO.
ARTICLE IV:
Section 1:
CATEGORIES OF THE MEDICAL STAFF
The Medical Staff
The Medical Staff shall consist of the following categories:
Active Staff
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Honorary Staff
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Affiliate Staff
Adjunct Staff
Courtesy Staff
Senior Consulting Staff
Research Staff
Visiting Staff
Section 2:
House Staff, Clinical
Fellows and Research
Fellows
Graduate Assistant Staff
Consultative Staff
Clinical Consulting Staff
Active Staff
The Active Staff shall consist of selected physicians, dentists, psychologists,
chiropractors and podiatrists who contribute substantially to the Hospital by
virtue of:
(a) An active participation in caring for patients in the Hospital or in ambulatory
care settings; and/or
(b) Conducting research; and/or
(c) An active participation in the teaching program, to be defined by the relevant
Department Chair.
Those members of the Active Staff who have been granted clinical and/or
admitting privileges must either: (1) care for a majority of their patients at the
Hospital or (2) care for a majority of their patients at the Hospital in the particular
subspecialty and/or for the particular procedure(s) for which they have been
granted privileges.
Members of the Active Staff:
(a) Must hold a current Harvard University appointment.
(b) Shall be eligible to hold office, vote and serve on committees.
(c) Shall be expected to serve on Hospital committees if so appointed.
Section 3:
Affiliate Staff
The Affiliate Staff shall consist of selected physicians, dentists, psychologists,
chiropractors and podiatrists who have been granted clinical and/or admitting
privileges upon the recommendation of the relevant Department Chair at the time
of the appointment or reappointment, and who are either: (1) members of a health
maintenance organization or any other practice association that has contracted
with the Hospital for the provision of care for its patients by its own staff; (2)
employed by or affiliated with Partners Community HealthCare, Inc.; (3)
members of the medical staff of other Partners HealthCare System, Inc. hospitals;
or (4) members of the Harvard Medical School faculty whose principal base is at
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another institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School or at a medical
research organization.
Any appointment to the Affiliate Staff will terminate automatically upon the
termination of the basis for the staff member’s appointment at the Hospital,
namely: (1) upon the termination of the staff member’s affiliation with the HMO
or other practice association or upon the termination of the organization’s contract
with the Hospital; (2) upon the termination of the staff member’s employment by
or affiliation with Partners Community HealthCare, Inc.; (3) upon the termination
of the staff member’s relevant medical staff membership or (4) upon the
termination of the staff member’s appointment at Harvard Medical School or of
his or her appointment at an institution other than the Hospital which is affiliated
with Harvard Medical School, or at a medical research organization.
Members of the Affiliate Staff must demonstrate:
(a) An active participation in caring for patients in the Hospital or its ambulatory
care settings, and
(b) An active participation in the teaching program, to be defined by the relevant
Department Chair.
Members of the Affiliate Staff:
(a) Shall be eligible to hold office, vote, and serve on committees.
(b) Shall be expected to serve on Hospital committees if so appointed.
(c) Shall not be required to have a Harvard University appointment.
Section 4:
Adjunct Staff
The Adjunct Staff shall consist of selected physicians, dentists, psychologists,
chiropractors and podiatrists who are given privileges to admit or care for an
occasional patient in the Hospital. Each Department Chair shall establish the
minimum number of patients that must be and the maximum number of patients
that may be admitted or cared for by a member of the Adjunct Staff in that
Department during a two year period. Admission or care of more than this
designated maximum number of patients shall require the individual to seek
membership on the Active or Affiliate Staff. Admission or care of less than this
designated minimum number of patients shall require the individual to seek
membership on the Courtesy Staff.
Adjunct Staff Members may neither vote nor hold office nor serve on committees.
An appointment at Harvard University shall not be required.
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Section 5:
Senior Consulting Staff
The Senior Consulting Staff shall consist of selected physicians, dentists,
psychologists, chiropractors and podiatrists of outstanding reputation in their
respective fields who have various skills and areas of competence to provide
consultation services upon request of any member of the Medical Staff.
Members of the Senior Consulting Staff:
(a) Shall not be granted clinical or admitting privileges.
(b) Shall not be required to have a Harvard University appointment.
(c) Need not be credentialed pursuant to these bylaws, but may be credentialed as
deemed appropriate by the relevant Department Chair.
(d) May neither vote nor hold office.
(e) May serve on committees as requested by the Hospital.
(f)
Section 6:
The length of an appointment to the Senior Consulting Staff, and the
termination of such appointment shall be as determined by the relevant
Department Chair. The denial or the termination of membership to the
Senior Consulting Staff does not constitute a disciplinary action as defined in
Article V of these Bylaws, and shall not entitle the individual to any of the
procedural rights provided in Article V of these Bylaws, including but not
limited to these procedures with respect to preliminary inquiry, hearings and
appellate review.
Honorary Staff
The Honorary Staff shall consist of:
(a) Former members of the Medical Staff who, by their long and meritorious
service to the Hospital, warrant such recognition; and
(b) Other distinguished professionals of outstanding reputation in medicine and
the allied health sciences.
(c) Members of the Honorary Staff shall have no privileges. They may neither
vote, nor hold office, nor serve on committees. They need not be credentialed
pursuant to these Bylaws, but may be credentialed as deemed appropriate by
the relevant Department Chair. The length of an appointment to the Honorary
Staff, and the termination of such appointment shall be as determined by the
relevant Department Chair. The denial or the termination of membership to
the Honorary Staff does not constitute a disciplinary action as defined in
Article V of these bylaws, and shall not entitle the individual to any of the
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procedural rights provided in Article V of these Bylaws, including but not
limited to these procedures with respect to preliminary inquiry, hearings and
appellate review. Members of the Honorary Staff shall not be required to
have a Harvard University appointment.
Section 7:
Research Staff
Membership on the Research Staff may be conferred on those whose sole activity
is to conduct medical research. An appointment at Harvard University is
required. As Research Staff are not granted clinical privileges, they need not be
licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Research
Staff need not be credentialed pursuant to these Bylaws, but may be credentialed
as deemed appropriate by the relevant Department Chair. Research Staff
members may neither vote nor hold office. They may serve on committees as
requested by the Hospital.
Section 8:
Visiting Staff
Membership on the Visiting Staff may be conferred on faculty visiting from other
institutions to conduct medical education. Visiting Staff are not granted clinical
privileges. They may neither vote nor hold office. They need not be credentialed
pursuant to these Bylaws, but may be credentialed as deemed appropriate by the
relevant Department Chair. The length of an appointment to the Visiting Staff,
and the termination of such appointment shall be as determined by the relevant
Department Chair. The denial or the termination of membership to the Visiting
Staff does not constitute a disciplinary action as defined in Article V of these
Bylaws, and shall not entitle the individual to any of the procedural rights
provided in Article V of these Bylaws, including but not limited to these
procedures with respect to preliminary inquiry, hearings and appellate review.
Members of the Visiting Staff shall not be required to have a Harvard University
Appointment.
Section 9:
House Staff, Clinical Fellows and Research Fellows
(a) The House Staff shall consist of residents. Each member of the House Staff is
considered to be in training and shall provide professional services only at the
Hospital under the supervision of members of the Medical Staff or at other
hospitals or locations under a resident training program which has been
approved by the Hospital, unless otherwise authorized by the Chair of the
Department in which he or she serves.
(b) Clinical Fellows are professionals in postdoctoral training who carry on study
and research in clinical subjects and who have patient care responsibility. An
appointment at Harvard University shall be required. A Clinical Fellow who
occupies a training status shall provide professional services only at the
Hospital under appropriate supervision or at other hospitals or locations under
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a training program approved by the Hospital, unless otherwise authorized by
the Chair of the Department in which he or she serves or under policies
adopted by the Department of which he or she is appointed.
(c) Research Fellows are professionals in postdoctoral training with primary
activity in research. Clinical privileges may or may not be conferred
depending upon the interest, education, and training of the applicant.
Research Fellows who are not granted clinical privileges need not be licensed
to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. An appointment at
Harvard University shall be required.
(d) House Staff, Clinical Fellows and Research Fellows shall be appointed to the
Medical Staff pursuant to Article III, Section 6. However, Research Fellows
who do not seek clinical privileges and who do not have or are not seeking
licensure to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts need
not be credentialed pursuant to these Bylaws, but may be credentialed as
deemed appropriate by the relevant Department Chair.
(e) The disciplinary action process in Article V shall not apply to House Staff,
Clinical Fellows and Clinical and Research Fellows enrolled in any clinical or
clinical and research training program sponsored by the Hospital (whether or
not such a program is nationally accredited) except as specifically provided in
these Bylaws. Disciplinary or adverse actions involving such individuals shall
ordinarily be governed by the Partners Graduate Trainee Adverse Action
Process.
(f) House Staff, Clinical Fellows and Research Fellows may serve as members of
various Medical Staff and Hospital committees. They may not vote nor hold
office on the Medical Staff.
(g) Any appointment to the Medical Staff as a member of the House Staff or as a
Clinical or Research Fellow will terminate automatically at the end of the
member’s residency program or fellowship, if the member’s term of
appointment has not expired prior to this date; provided however, if the staff
category of such individual is changed to another staff category in accordance
with Section 13 below, the appointment shall continue until its expiration date
(said appointment not to exceed a total of two years) .
Section 10:
Consultative Staff
The Consultative Staff shall consist of selected audiologists, physicists,
geneticists, engineers, and biochemists who provide consultation, assistance
and/or advice in their areas of expertise to other members of the medical staff.
Each member of the Consultative Staff shall have a primary Department
affiliation.
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(a) Consultative Staff may engage in direct clinical activities in accordance with
their education, training, experience and current competence, but shall not
have clinical or admitting privileges under these bylaws.
(b) The provisions of Article III, Section 6 shall not apply to the Consultative
Staff. The procedure for their appointment and reappointment shall be
established by the relevant Departments.
(c) The length of an appointment to the Consultative Staff, and the termination of
such appointment shall be as determined by the relevant Department Chair.
The denial or the termination of membership to the Consultative Staff does
not constitute a disciplinary action as defined in Article V of these Bylaws,
and shall not entitle the individual to any of the procedural rights provided in
Article V of these Bylaws, including but not limited to these procedures with
respect to preliminary inquiry, hearings and appellate review.
(d) Members of the Consultative Staff may serve as members of the various
Medical Staff and Hospital committees as requested.
(e) Members of the Consultative Staff may neither vote nor hold office.
Section 11:
Courtesy Staff
The Courtesy Staff shall consist of selected physicians, dentists and podiatrists
who have demonstrated a commitment to the goals and purposes of the Hospital,
but who at present have no active role in patient care, teaching or research at the
Hospital.
Members of the Courtesy Staff:
(a) Shall not be granted clinical or admitting privileges.
(b) Shall not be required to have a Harvard University appointment.
(c) Need not be credentialed pursuant to these Bylaws, but may be credentialed as
deemed appropriate by the relevant Department Chair.
(d) May attend various medical staff events and educational programs.
(e) The length of an appointment to the Courtesy Staff, and the termination of
such appointment shall be as determined by the relevant Department Chair,
The denial or the termination of membership to the Courtesy Staff does not
constitute a disciplinary action as defined in Article V of these Bylaws, and
shall not entitle the individual to any of the procedural rights provided in
Article V of these Bylaws including but not limited to these procedures with
respect to preliminary inquiry, hearings and appellate review.
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Section 12:
Graduate Assistant Staff
An appointment to the Graduate Assistant Staff may be requested as a secondary
appointment by members of the House Staff (PGY-3 and above), Clinical
Fellows, and Research Fellows. Appointment to the Graduate Assistant Staff is
temporary and limited by the Department Chair according to the need of the
Department and/or Hospital.
Members of the Graduate Assistant Staff:
(a) Must have a full a full license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of Registration of Medicine.
(b) Who are PGY-5 and above may be granted admitting privileges.
(c) May be granted clinical privileges to the extent specified in his/her delineation
of privileges form or equivalent document(s).
(d) Must comply with all applicable Department, Hospital and Partners policies
including but not limited to the Partners Graduate Trainee Moonlighting
Policy.
The denial, restriction or termination of an appointment to the Graduate Assistant
Staff shall not be considered a “disciplinary action” under Article V of these
Bylaws and shall not entitle the individual concerned to any of the procedural
rights provided in Article V of these Bylaws, including but not limited to those
procedures with respect to preliminary inquiry, hearings and appellate review.
Section 13:
Clinical Consulting Staff
The Clinical Consulting Staff Category shall consist of selected physicians,
dentists, psychologists, chiropractors and podiatrists who maintain a clinical
practice in the community and wish to follow the course of their patients when
admitted to the Hospital, and/or to participate in the teaching of House Staff and
Clinical Fellows under the supervision of a Member of the Active or Affiliate
Staff.
Members of the Clinical Consulting Staff:
(a) May perform outpatient preadmission medical history and physical
examinations, order noninvasive outpatient diagnostic tests and services, visit
patients admitted to the Hospital, review medical records, consult with the
attending of record, and observe diagnostic or surgical procedures with the
approval of the attending of record.
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(b) May participate in teaching activities, under the supervision of a Member of
the Active or Affiliate Staff as part of a teaching session organized by the
respective Hospital Department. Any examination conducted as part of the
teaching session shall be for teaching purposes only, and shall not be recorded
in the patient chart or used to make treatment decisions.
(c) May attend various medical staff events and educational programs
(d) Shall not be granted clinical or admitting privileges to independently manage
the care of patients in the Hospital.
(e) May neither vote nor hold office.
(f) Must fulfill or comply with any applicable Medical Staff or Hospital policies
and procedures.
Section 14:
Change in Staff Category
Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, in the event that a Department
Chair concludes during the term of a Medical Staff member’s appointment that
the Medical Staff member no longer satisfies the requirements for membership in
the staff category to which she/he was appointed, and the Department Chair
determines that the member satisfies the requirement for membership in another
staff category, the Department Chair may elect to change the Medical Staff
member’s staff category to the appropriate one. Such a change in staff category
shall not be considered a “disciplinary action” and shall not entitle the individual
concerned to any of the procedural rights provided in Article V of these Bylaws,
including but not limited to those procedures with respect to preliminary inquiry,
hearing and appellate review.
Section 15:
Advanced Practice Professionals
Advanced Practice Professionals, who shall include licensed physician assistants
and nurses practicing in an expanded role, are not members of the Medical Staff.
An Advanced Practice Professional may engage in direct clinical activities and be
granted clinical and/or admitting privileges only to the extent defined in written
protocols or guidelines that have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate
committees of the Medical Staff and Hospital and in accordance with any
applicable laws or regulations. The protocols or guidelines shall specify the
activities or situations requiring referral to or consultation with a member of the
Medical Staff and shall limit the Advanced Practice Professional to activities in
which he or she has documented appropriate professional education, training and
experience, and current competence. Each Advanced Practice Professional must
meet at a minimum all requirements for professional education, clinical training
and experience established by the appropriate state board or agency. If there is no
such board or agency, the minimum professional requirements for the Advanced
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Practice Professional shall be those recommended by the Advanced Practice
Professional Credentialing Committee, and approved by the Medical Staff
Executive Committee and the Care Improvement Council.
ARTICLE V:
Section 1:
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Definitions
(a) “Disciplinary action” includes any of the following actions by the Hospital:
revocation of a right or privilege; suspension; censure; written reprimand;
fine; required performance of public service; or a course of education,
counseling or monitoring arising out of the filing of a complaint or a formal
charge reflecting on professional competence. The following actions are also
included, only if related to professional competence or to a complaint or
allegation regarding any violation of law, regulation or bylaw: restriction,
non-renewal or denial of a right of privilege; resignation; leave of absence;
withdrawal of an application; or termination or non-renewal of a contract.
Such disciplinary actions shall be taken in accordance with this Article V,
except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
However, “disciplinary action” shall not include the following actions, among
others: (i) an action based upon failure to complete medical records or
perform minor administrative functions in a timely fashion that does not relate
to professional competence or to a complaint or allegation regarding any
violation of law or regulation, and which the Hospital takes pursuant to a
process independent of these Bylaws; (ii) denial of a Staff member’s request
to change staff category or add new privileges; (iii) supervision and
proctorship provided they are for evaluative purposes and for a limited period
of time; and (iv) automatic termination of appointment to the Affiliate Staff
upon the termination of the basis for the professional’s appointment with the
Hospital. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
(b) “Disciplinary Action Process” is a medical peer review committee process
intended to review, evaluate and determine certain recommended actions with
respect to a Staff member’s privileges or appointment.
Section 2:
Grounds for Disciplinary Action
Disciplinary action may be taken for due cause, including but not limited to any
of the following reasons:
(a) professional incompetence, or conduct that might be inconsistent with or
harmful to good patient care or safety, lower than the standards of the Medical
Staff, or disruptive to Hospital operations;
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(b) conduct that calls into question the Staff member’s integrity, ethics,
professional behavior or judgment, or that could prove detrimental to the
Hospital’s employees or operations;
(c) violation of the bylaws or policies and procedures of the Medical Staff, the
Hospital, Partners, or Harvard Medical School;
(d) misconduct in science;
(e) failure to perform duties.
Section 3:
Initiation of Disciplinary Action Process
The process leading to potential disciplinary action may be initiated by the
relevant Department Chair, the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Staff
Executive Committee, or the Board of Trustees, upon any allegation of due cause
for disciplinary action. The process shall be initiated by the prompt submission to
the relevant Department Chair of notice of the allegation, supported by reference
to the specific activity or conduct that constitutes the grounds for the allegation.
The Department Chair shall apprise the Chief Medical Officer forthwith of such
submission.
Any allegation of misconduct in science by any member of the Medical Staff,
including a member of the House Staff, a Clinical or Research Fellow, or a
member of the Consultative Staff shall be addressed and resolved pursuant to the
process initiated in accordance with Section 6.
An allegation of non-compliance in human subjects research (which is not
required to be referred to Harvard Medical School pursuant to Section 6) against
any member of the Medical Staff, including a member of the House Staff, a
Clinical Fellow or Research Fellow shall be addressed and resolved as described
in Section 7.
Section 4:
Summary Action
(a) The Chief Medical Officer or his designee may make an immediate summary
suspension of any member of the Medical Staff, or take other summary
disciplinary action, whenever such action is deemed necessary to maintain
acceptable standards of care, safety, operation, integrity, or ethics at the
Hospital.
(b) The person effecting a summary suspension or other disciplinary action shall
send forthwith a written report of such action and the reason(s) therefore to
the Staff member involved, and to the Chief Medical Officer and the relevant
Department Chair.
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(c) The Medical Staff Conduct Committee shall review the summary suspension
or other disciplinary action. Within fourteen (14) days of the time the
summary suspension or other disciplinary action was initiated, the Committee
shall decide whether it appears substantiated by fact and reasonable and
should be continued in force, or whether it should be lifted. The Committee
shall send prompt written notice of the decision to the Staff member involved,
the Chief Medical Officer, the relevant Department Chair, and the Board of
Trustees or duly appointed committee thereof.
Section 5:
Automatic Revocation, Restriction or Suspension
(a) Lack of Minimum Malpractice Insurance
Whenever it is discovered that a Staff member with clinical privileges does
not carry the minimum malpractice insurance coverage required by Article III,
Section 1, the Staff member shall be given immediate written notice thereof,
and the Chief Medical Officer or his/her designee may impose summary
action pursuant to Section 4. If the Staff member does not give the Hospital
satisfactory proof he or she has obtained the requisite coverage within thirty
(30) days of receipt of the notice, his or her Staff appointment shall be
immediately and automatically revoked.
(b) License Revocation, Non-Renewal, Restriction, or Suspension
Whenever a Staff member’s license, certificate or other legal credential
authorizing practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is revoked or not
renewed, his or her Staff appointment and privileges shall be immediately and
automatically revoked.
Whenever a Staff member’s license, certificate or other legal credential is
suspended, his or her Staff appointment and privileges shall be immediately
and automatically suspended.
Whenever a Staff member’s license, certificate or other legal credential is
limited or restricted by the applicable licensing or certifying authority, those
privileges granted which have been so limited or restricted shall be
immediately and automatically limited or restricted in the same manner.
When a licensing or certifying authority ends a suspension, limitation or
restriction, or reinstates a license, certificate or other legal credential, the
individual may apply for Staff appointment, or appointment without such
limitation or restriction, and shall be evaluated as an applicant for initial
appointment.
(c) Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) Registration Revocation, Non-Renewal,
Restriction or Suspension
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Whenever a Staff member’s DEA registration number is revoked or not
renewed, he or she shall immediately and automatically be divested of his or
her right to prescribe or dispense controlled substances authorized by the
registration. Whenever a Staff member’s DEA registration is suspended, he
or she shall be automatically divested of his or her right to prescribe or
dispense controlled substances authorized by the registration effective upon
and for at least the term of the suspension.
Whenever a Staff member’s DEA registration is restricted, his or her right to
prescribe or dispense controlled substances shall be immediately and
automatically limited in accordance with the terms of the restriction.
(d) Federal Excluded Provider
Whenever a Staff member is (i) excluded, debarred or otherwise ineligible to
participate in the Federal health care programs (including but not limited to
Medicare, Medicaid, Champus or Veterans Administration) or in Federal
procurement or non-procurement programs or (ii) has been convicted of a
criminal offense related to the provision of health care items or services, but
has not yet been excluded, debarred or otherwise declared ineligible, his or her
Staff appointment and privileges shall be immediately and automatically
revoked.
When a Staff member’s exclusion, debarment or ineligibility to participate in
Federal health care programs or in Federal procurement or non-procurement
programs has ended, such Staff member may apply for appointment, and shall
be evaluated as an applicant for initial appointment.
(e) Duty to Notify
The Staff member involved shall immediately notify the relevant Department
Chair, who will immediately notify the Chief Medical Officer:
(i) Whenever the Staff member has knowledge that he or she is being
investigated by a licensing, certifying or regulatory authority for
possible revocation, non-renewal, restriction, suspension or
probation of his or her license to practice or DEA registration, or
for any other possible disciplinary or adverse action or as a result
of a complaint or an allegation regarding any violation of law,
regulation or bylaw; or
(ii) whenever the Staff member has knowledge that his or her license
or DEA registration has been revoked, not renewed, or suspended,
or that he or she has been placed on probation with respect to
either his or her license or DEA registration, or that he or she has
been the subject of any other disciplinary or adverse action by a
licensing, certifying or regulatory authority; or
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(iii)whenever the Staff member has knowledge that another health care
facility, employer or professional medical association has taken
disciplinary or other adverse action against the Staff member or
that proceedings for disciplinary or other adverse action have been
initiated; or
(iv) whenever the Staff member has knowledge that he or she is (a)
excluded, debarred or otherwise ineligible to participate in Federal
health care programs or in Federal procurement or nonprocurement programs or that proceedings for such exclusion,
debarment or ineligibility have been initiated or (b) has been
convicted of a criminal offense related to the provision of health
care services or items, but has not yet been excluded, debarred or
otherwise declared ineligible.
(f) Applicability to House Staff, Clinical Fellows and Research Fellows
This Section 5 shall apply to all members of the Medical Staff, including
House Staff, Clinical Fellows and Research Fellows.
Section 6:
Referral of Certain Matters to Harvard Medical School for Inquiry
and Investigation
The Chief Medical Officer shall immediately refer to Harvard Medical School for
inquiry and if necessary, investigation, any allegation of misconduct in science
funded through Harvard Medical School by any member of the Staff, including a
member of the House Staff or a Clinical or Research Fellow, or any other
allegation initiated pursuant to Section 3 which Harvard Medical School bears the
primary responsibility for resolving.
Any report and recommendation(s) of Harvard Medical School upon the
completion of its inquiry and investigation shall be referred to the Committee on
Medical Staff Conduct, for recommendation pursuant to Section 11, of
appropriate disciplinary or other adverse action, if any, by the Hospital.
Section 7:
Referral of Certain Matters to Partners Institutional Review Boards
and Human Research Affairs
The Chief Medical Officer, after consultation with the Hospital’s Senior Vice
President for Research, may refer any allegation described in Section 2, pertaining
to non-compliance in human subjects research (which is not required to be
referred to Harvard Medical School pursuant to Section 6) to the Partners
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and/or Human Research Affairs (HRA) for
review and appropriate action, if any. Alternatively, the Chief Medical Officer,
after consultation with the Hospital’s Senior Vice President for Research, may
elect for the Hospital to jointly review the alleged non-compliance in human
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subjects research with the Partners IRB and/or HRA in accordance with policies
and procedures duly adopted by the Hospital and its IRBs. The Chief