Introduction

Making The Most Of Your Relationship With… Lawyers and Consultants

August 4, 2020 - 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (ET)

Making The Most Of Your Relationship With…
Lawyers and Consultants

August 4, 2020

Faculty:

Henry Casale and Susan Lapenta

Topics:

Does the Hospital’s lawyer also represent the Medical Staff? Who pays for the lawyer representing the Medical Staff?

Can a Medical Staff spend dues or other Medical Staff funds on a lawyer who takes a position adverse to the Hospital? Is the 501(c)(3) status of a nonprofit hospital implicated?

If a Medical Staff leader is the subject of an investigation, adverse professional review action, or other scrutiny, does the Medical Staff’s lawyer represent his or her best interests in that matter?

Do Medical Staff leaders need to obtain their own counsel to ensure they limit personal liability when performing credentialing, peer review, and other Medical Staff functions?

In what situations should Medical Staff leaders always consult counsel prior to moving forward?

Should Medical Staff leaders have their lawyer sign letters, conduct investigations, and perform other peer review functions, particularly in situations where future disputes seem likely?

What role do consultants play in helping Medical Staff leaders manage credentialing, peer review, and other Medical Staff matters (such as Bylaws revisions)? What is the value in turning to outside resources for assistance with these things?

Can the Hospital lawyer advise the hearing panel? The presiding officer? The appellate panel? The board when it gives final consideration to the matter?

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this audio conference, participants should be able to:

Understand which Medical Staff activities have unique legal implications, in which obtaining the advice of counsel is advisable.
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Understand the role of counsel in representing the Hospital, Medical Staff leadership, and the physicians who have been appointed to the Medical Staff.
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Articulate the benefits of seeking external advice when revising Medical Staff Bylaws and other Medical Staff policies and procedures.

Education Credit

Instructions on how to obtain your Continuing Education certificate for audio conferences will be e-mailed to the contact person for your organization at the conclusion of each audio conference.

Category 1 CME

Joint Provider Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and HortySpringer Seminars. The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CEUs Credit

Other health care professionals are awarded 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs), which is equal to 1 contact hour.

NAMSS Continuing Education Credit

This course has been approved for National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) continuing education credit and NAMSS hereby awards 1.0 NAMSS continuing education credits for participation in this activity. Accreditation of this educational content in no way implies endorsement or sponsorship by NAMSS.

HortySpringer Audio Conference Disclaimer

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The information presented during an audio conference and any supplementary materials provided to registrants are intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing contained therein is to be considered as the rendering of legal advice for specific cases or circumstances.

No one should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented during an audio conference without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer practicing as permitted by applicable laws, regulations or rules of professional conduct. No attorney-client relationship is formed by registration for an audio conference or the use of the supplementary materials.

About Grand Rounds

The Grand Rounds 2020 Series consists of twelve audio conferences spread over the course of the year, with the goal of providing focused, manageable bites of education for Medical Staff leaders and those who support them.

This year’s series is focused on helping physician leaders utilize resources outside the Medical Staff in a manner that achieves the best results for patients and Medical Staff members.

Each of the 2020 Grand Rounds Series of Audio Conferences are offered the first Tuesday of each month from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Registration includes an MP3 containing the audio conference at no additional charge following each conference.

CME credit issued for live conference participation.

* Registration fee includes one phone line; you may add up to two additional lines to your order for $50 each line (per audio conference).

Designed for even the busiest hospital and medical staff leaders, registration for the year-long series is a quick and inexpensive way for Medical Staff Officers, members of the Medical Executive Committee, Department Chairs, Chairs of the Credentials and Peer Review Committees, and the Chairs of other key Medical Staff committees to have access to the most up-to-date health care information at their fingertips while obtaining valuable CME credits as well.