Ask the expert: What is a summary suspension?

The term summary suspension generally refers to a suspension of some or all of a practitioner’s privileges based on the medical staff’s determination that allowing the practitioner to continue without such limitation would put patients in harm’s way.

The bylaws should specify which individuals and committees can impose a summary suspension and state what access the suspended practitioner will have to a hearing and appeal. The bylaws should also clarify when a report will be submitted to the National Practitioner Data Bank as a result of a summary suspension.

This week’s ask the expert is adapted from The Greeley Guide to Medical Staff Bylaws, Second Edition by Joseph D. Cooper.