All facilities have their own internal peer review processes, with specific criteria used by the medical staff to evaluate the clinical practice of physicians. In certain cases, however, the hospital may need to seek additional perspective from a third-party reviewer.
The CMS Conditions of Participation (CoP) and The Joint Commission are in complete agreement on this one: Medical staff departments are not required. The CoPs require a "well organized" medical staff. The Joint Commission requires an "organized self-governed medical staff." The Joint Commission...
In July 2012 it was revealed that two New Mexico surgeons were involved in nearly 80 malpractice lawsuits after performing back surgeries that only one of the surgeons was qualified to perform.
A ruling by the New Hampshire Supreme Court regarding the use of medical malpractice screening panels has drawn attention from physicians, hospitals, and plaintiffs within the state regarding the use of screening panels for malpractice claims.