Ask the expert: Which medical staff body carries out a peer review investigation?

Some medical staff bylaws state that the entire medical executive committee (MEC) can serve as the investigating body, but the MEC often has too many members for that to be effective. Instead, the MEC can appoint an ad hoc subcommittee to conduct the investigation. To conduct a thorough investigation, members of the investigating committee should:
 

• Review medical records connected with the incident under investigation
• Interview nurses, advanced practice professionals, and others who have firsthand knowledge of the issue under investigation
• Share with the physician that an investigation is underway and interview him or her to hear the other side of the story
• Not allow the physician’s attorney to attend any of the interviews, as this stage of the investigation is informal

This week’s tip is adapted from “Fair hearings 101: Prevent fair hearings in five law-abiding steps” in the March issue of Credentialing & Peer Review Legal Insider.