Tip of the week: Orient new bylaws committee members

Most physicians who agree to participate in the bylaws committee do so with little knowledge of the issues that cause bylaws to change, or how to go about making changes. Consequently, it is a good idea to provide an orientation that includes the following:

• Committee responsibilities: These will vary by hospital depending on what the hospital’s bylaws require.
• Meeting schedules: Members should be given the dates, times, and locations of all meetings for the entire year and asked to add them to their office calendars, PDAs, etc. to help ensure good attendance.
• Meeting format: Provide information regarding the agenda, the documentation of minutes, etc.
• Approval process: Explain to new members the process for approving changes to medical staff bylaws. First, the bylaws committee makes a recommendation. Second, the medical staff either approves or rejects it. Finally, the governing body must either approve or reject the recommendation. Neither the medical staff nor the governing body can make changes on its own, without the approval of the other.
• Contact information: Provide a listing of the committee members, the chair, and contact information for the medical staff office.

This week’s tip is from The Medical Staff Meeting Companion by Kathy Matzka, CPMSM, CPCS.