Tip of the week: Encourage department chairs to give updates at MEC meetings

This week, we look at the last suggested item to keep on the medical executive committee’s (MEC) regular agenda: assessment of the performance of contracted groups and outside services.

In 2009, The Joint Commission released a standard that states the MEC has to be integrally involved in the content of contracts with all contracted services provided through the organized medical staff. During the MEC meeting, focus discussion on strategic and critically important issues.

Remember, all items that do not require direct discussion and debate should be moved off of the MEC’s regular agenda and placed on a consent agenda. This simple move takes most routine business off the agenda and allows the meeting to focus on items that require discussion.

This week’s tip is from Medical Executive Committee Essentials Handbook, by Richard A. Sheff, MD; and Robert J. Marder, MD.