Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger Answers: How Do I Respond to a Peer Review of Your Hospital Privileges?

When there is an adverse outcome of a procedure or a medical professional’s patient files a complaint, the result may be the hospital’s peer review process. The peer review process is different at each hospital and is different depending on the allegation. The process can vary widely, ranging from a short-term look at the event in question to an in-depth review of your practices and records. If handled well, a peer review is just an annoyance. If handled poorly, it can cost you your right to practice at that hospital and a National Practitioner Data Bank Report, which can end a career. Accordingly, the peer review process must always be taken seriously.

If you are medical professional in Kansas or Missouri facing a peer review of your hospital privileges, you should not go through this process alone. Instead, call  Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney experienced dealing with the administrative process required to defend you. Your career is simply worth too much to go it alone. Because I am frequently asked about the hospital peer review process, I have made a list of answers to common questions:

Be honest and tell the truth. If you misrepresent facts, it is likely that your deceit will be discovered. Lying is often punished more seriously than the underlying act that brought about the review. Assume that those reviewing your actions have more facts than you do.

Stick to the facts. Do not guess regarding facts you are unaware of; similarly, do not assume or guess at other witnesses’ motives. Do not try to make your response about why someone would have said something; rather, focus on why you took whatever action you did.

If you do not have the facts, say so. If your answer would be more complete if you had access to records, request them.

If given an opportunity to provide an explanation, always respond.  Your response should be accurate, thorough, and professional. Attain legal help to make sure your response is appropriate and avoids any sarcastic, angry, or accusatory tone.

Do not use the opportunity to respond as a chance to call out or make claims about other medical professionals’ actions. The peer review is only about your behavior as a professional, and claims or complaints about others will come across as improper deflection.

Rely on medical journals and professional standards. If you took a certain action for a certain reason, provide evidence from journal articles or professional standards that supports your decision. Do the peer review committee’s work for them and attach copies of the articles for their review. Similarly, if the hospital has published rules or protocols, rely on them in your response. Try to tie each of your actions to a rule, standard of care, or both.

Contact an Experienced Kansas and Missouri Licensing Attorney Now

The peer review process is uncomfortable, but does not have to be fatal to your career.  You deserve to be working as a medical professional without the fear. Contacting an experienced licensing attorney to help you through any of these processes can mean the difference between getting back to your practice quickly and a suspension or revocation of your privileges.

If you are a physician in Kansas or Missouri and are worried about a hospital peer review costing you your career, call attorney Sanger now.

Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger is prepared to advocate for your best interests and defend your livelihood and career. Call Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Sanger at 785-979-4353 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney experienced dealing with medical professional licensing issues.

 

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