All Entries Tagged With: "Poliner"
State peer review systems under the microscope
Californians have long doubted the effectiveness of the physician peer review process in hospitals, which came under fire once more at a state senate hearing on Monday, March 9. According to an article in the Enterprise Record, the hearing was held by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee to evaluate whether the current peer review structure in California allows inept physicians to treat patients—sometimes for years.
AZ medical board cutting costs, but with risk
I came across an interesting article describing the Arizona Medical Board’s decision to cut costs by terminating therapy for physicians with substance abuse problems. The board claims that the cost-cutting measure is low-risk because the providers undergoing treatment brought their additictions to the board’s attention rather than waiting to be discovered through an arrest or complaint.
However, the board’s decision has not gone unopposed. A physician at Scottsdale Healthcare says that ending treatment programs early can put patients at risk of relapse, and there is no way to determine which physicians are likely to relapse.
Here is my question: Is saving $37,000 worth the risk to patient safety? Is it worth otherwise good physicians from losing their licenses? Will we see more cases like Poliner?
HCQIA and peer review: What?! No immunity?
From what I’ve read so far about the Poliner case, it seems that the HCQIA (immunity) is in jeopardy. If the court upholds the decision, it may be more and more difficult to find physicians willing to serve on “fair hearing” committees or who will report inappropriate clinical care.
[more]
Will the Supreme Court take on Poliner peer review case?
Quite possibly, according to American Medical News:
Dr. Poliner is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to look at his case to decide whether a court can exclude evidence of subjective motives when it considers whether peer reviewers had a “reasonable belief” that the action was taken to further health care quality, which HCQIA requires.
Todd Morrison
Managing Editor