Ralph v. St. Anthony’s Med. Ctr. – Sept. 2015 (Summary)

TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT

Ralph v. St. Anthony’s Med. Ctr., No. ED 102035 (Mo. Ct. App. Sept. 22, 2015)

A physician whose surgical privileges were revoked at a hospital sued the hospital for tortious interference with contract due to his inability to continue his staff membership at or ownership interest in an ambulatory surgical center.  The physician needed to have privileges at a local hospital in order for these to continue.  The Missouri court held that it could only rule on whether the hospital had properly followed the due process and hearing provisions in its medical staff bylaws, which it had done. The physician had no ability to sue the hospital as to his relationship with the ambulatory surgical center.