Hospital Practice News

Understand the legal risks of going paperless

Studies are mixed about how electronic health records (EHR) will affect liability for physicians, according to a story by American Medical News.

The story cites a 2010 survey by Conning Research and Consulting, an insurance industry research firm, that found that most insurers believe medical claims will rise during the move from paper to electronic records, and that lawsuits probably will decrease after an adjustment period. It also cites a report in the Nov. 18, 2010, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, which said doctors should expect a varied landscape of liability risks and benefits as EHR adoption unfolds.

A webcast from the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS), "How to evaluate and select an office IT system," offers guidance on adopting an EHR system. The webcast is a recording of a past AMA-OMSS education session. View other educational offerings from the OMSS.

Guide can help physicians draft bylaws for medical staff

Medical staffs looking to draft or amend bylaws can use the fifth edition of the AMA's "Physician's Guide to Medical Staff Organization Bylaws." This valuable reference manual contains bylaws language that supports self-governance, addresses Joint Commission standard MS.01.01.01 and offers guidance on emerging issues in health care that impact the medical staff. AMA members have free access to the guide. If you're not a member, join today.

Webinar to consider future of hospital medical staff

Examine the role of the medical staff in this era of health care consolidation, health system reform and increased physician employment by participating in a webinar at 1 p.m. Eastern time March 27. Hosted by the American Health Lawyers Association, the program will discuss:

• The traditional role of the hospital medical staff and how and why it is evolving.
• Contemporary challenges to the traditional role, including declining physician participation, causes of friction between employed and independent physician members of the staff and tips for addressing it.
• The rise of physician ventures and the possible impact of the Affordable Care Act on existing regulatory standards.
• The role of the medical staff as leaders and drivers of change and in the maintenance of traditional duties such as credentialing, privileging and oversight of quality.
• The effects of competitive physician ventures.

Presenters will include Jay A. Gregory, MD, and Arthur D. Snow Jr., MD, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section Governing Council.

The webinar is the first in a three-part series focusing on what hospitals and physicians, and the attorneys who represent them, need to know about the evolving medical staff in today's evolving health care system. The Medical Staff, Credentialing, and Peer Review Practice Group and the Labor and Employment Practice Group are co-sponsoring the series.

Apply by May 16 for AMA-OMSS Governing Council seats

Elections for the 2012–2014 AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) Governing Council will take place June 15 in Chicago during this year's AMA-OMSS Annual Assembly Meeting. Applications are due May 16; download one today.

Physicians or one or more representatives from their medical staff or other physician organization are invited to participate in the meeting, which will take place June 14–16. Visit the meeting Web page for more details, including information about submitting resolutions and opportunities to get involved.

Earn CME by viewing new education program webcasts

Learn about physician leadership, engaging members of the medical staff to improve quality and the future of the medical staff organization by viewing new webcasts from the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section. Physicians can claim continuing medical education (CME) credit for watching the webcasts. Titles include:

• "Doing the right thing for our patients: leading as a professional" (1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™)
• "Engaging members of the medical staff to measure and improve quality" (1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™)
• "Future of the medical staff: strategies for re-engineering governance and operations to advance clinical and strategic imperatives" (1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™)

AMA members can view these webcasts for free; nonmembers can watch them for $75 each. If you're not an AMA member, join today.

The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Manual helps physicians with employment agreements

With more and more established physicians, as well as those completing training, becoming employees of hospitals, medical groups or affiliate organizations, it's important that they enhance their understanding and negotiating position as they navigate employment contracts and opportunities in these practice settings.

A manual from the AMA, the "Annotated Model Physician-Hospital Employment Agreement," can help. This resource addresses the specific needs of established physicians and those completing training who are preparing to negotiate an employment contract with a hospital or related entity.

"Doctors have got to protect themselves," said Jay Gregory, MD, chair of the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section Governing Council, in an American Medical News story about the manual. "Hopefully, this manual will provide physicians with a better understanding of their legal rights, and they will be able to go into situations with their eyes open."

AMA members can access the manual for free; nonmembers can purchase it through the AMA Bookstore. If you're not a member, join today.