HOSPITAL-MED STAFF GOVERNANCE

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. In connection with a hospital's or medical staff's right to summarily suspend, without a prior hearing, a person's medical staff membership or clinical privileges in the case of an immediate danger to the public, provides that an immediate danger must be evidenced by a documented act or acts that directly threaten patient care in the hospital and are not of an administrative nature; provides that when a medical staff member's license to practice has been suspended or revoked by the State's licensing authority, no hearing is necessary. Adds provisions concerning medical staff peer review. Adds provisions concerning medical staff self-governance, including: the right to establish criteria and requirements for medical staff membership, privileges, and activities; the right to select and remove medical staff officers; and the right to assess dues. Also sets forth provisions concerning dispute resolution. Effective January 1, 2009.