The medical staff by laws of your non-profit hospital specify that every applica
ID: 238947 • Letter: T
Question
The medical staff by laws of your non-profit hospital specify that every applicant for Medical Staff Membership and Clinical Privileges must be evaluated by a Medical Staff Credentials Committee which then makes its recommendations on membership and privileges to the Hospital’s Board of Directors. Mrs. Fairbody, a socially prominent member of the Board of Directors, says at a meeting of the board: “I think the Credentials Committee should make the final decisions on memberships and privileges. Whatever the Committee decides is fine. There is no need for the Board of Directors to be involved.” Would Mrs. Fairbody’s recommendation be legally permissible? Why or why not?
Explanation / Answer
Mrs. Fairbody's recommendation should be considered legally permissible because Medical Staff Credentials
Committee members were appointed by the Board of Directors and hence they should believe in them.