Arizona Peer Review Attorney: Attorney assistance with Arizona peer review issues

A hospital peer review investigation is intended to address concerns about whether a doctor, nurse or other type of health care provider deviated from the standard of care while providing patient care or other non-clinical conduct. Engaging with an experienced attorney can provide counsel on how to manage a peer review investigation and generate a strategy to mitigate disciplinary action that could have negative repercussions on an Arizona health care provider’s professional career.

Chelle Law represents professional health care providers in Arizona who have been informed of a health care entities peer review or who are already in the middle of a peer review investigation. We provide practical health care defense strategies for peer review investigations. Our lawyers assist health care providers under peer review with:

• Arizona Facility Credentialing
• Hospital Privileges
• National Practitioner Data Bank (“NPDB”)
• Peer Review Statute (ARS Title 36 Chapter 4 Article 5)
• Hospital Fair Hearing Process

Attorney for Arizona Hospital Peer Review

Hospital administrations that conduct a peer review must report findings to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), a federal database that tracks adverse actions taken against individual health care professionals. Being reported to the NPDB often results in medical board review and disciplinary actions such as license revocation, the loss of hospital privileges or removal from public or private insurance providers, among others.

Our Phoenix, AZ lawyers assist with peer review investigations and take the appropriate steps to address concerns raised by hospital administrators upfront. We will review all evidence of alleged misconduct or disruptive behavior and protect clients’ interests throughout disciplinary proceedings. If warranted, our lawyers can also assist clients in appealing adverse decisions before the appropriate administrative authorities or in Arizona civil court. The Maricopa Medical Society and the Arizona Medical Association also provides valuable resources for medical doctors for clinical activities.

How is a Provider Reviewed by Peers?

Peer review is a means of ensuring that doctors are following generally accepted standards in order to provide the best care possible. Peer Review has roots dating back as early at 1900 when The American College Of Surgeons began using peer-to-peer evaluations for hospitals and medical staff across America. Today peer review is justified by a hospital stating it is complying with existing regulations whether through government surveys like The Joint Commission on Accreditation (“JCAHO”) or private healthcare organizations. The ultimate decision making authority often lies with hospital boards of directors, which follows recommendations from review committees. The process has continued to grow in the 20th century and is now required by JCAHO for accreditation hospitals .

A peer review is conducted for three main reasons. The first is to maintain accreditation, the second in order to monitor privileges and thirdly by hospital policy when requesting new ones from physicians already practicing there or applying for positions at their institution. While the initiation of a peer review can often be triggered by substandard physician performance as required by JCAHO, physicians and administrators alike are able to request specific non-clinical areas that will trigger an investigation. A hospital’s peer review procedure is not uniform, but the stated goal is to help improve quality by identifying poor outcome cases and root causes. Hospitals use this information to make improvements in patient care for future patients of JCAHO mandated standards.

Health Care Defense For Sham Peer Reviews

The vast majority of peer review investigations are initiated in good faith; however, a small number of peer review investigations are brought against honorable physicians or nurses who have raised concerns about hospital policies and procedures that raise concerns. Additionally, some peer review investigations are brought forth due to divergent views regarding the practice of medicine or even personal issues like political views.

If you suspect that you are being investigated for unjust reasons, the assistance of experienced healthcare counsel such as a lawyer with Chelle Law can be a valuable asset in protecting your rights, your medical license and hospital privileges through the peer review process.

Assistance with Medical Board Investigations

The Arizona Medical Board and the Osteopathic Medical Board protects and promotes the welfare of the people of Arizona. They do this by ensuring each person who is a doctor and holds a license as a physician in the State of Arizona is competent and able to practice safely. This means the Medical Board has the authority to discipline the license of any doctor in the state. Chelle Law’s Arizona Medical Board Attorneys have represented over 1,000 health care professionals before Arizona licensing boards. At Chelle Law, our attorney’s have the experience representing physicians with all Medical Board and Arizona Osteopathic Medical matters.

Arizona’s Medical Board disciplinary actions are given to physicians with a license or certification in Arizona.  If the State Board determines formal disciplinary action is necessary it will happen after the completion of an investigation. It’s the job of board staff to review any complaint alleging a violation of the Arizona laws and regulations.  Thus, at a Board Meeting the Board will vote to determine the outcome of medical board investigations after a speaker is given the opportunity to address the Board.  The Arizona Board can vote on a non-disciplinary outcome or vote to offer the Arizona physician formal discipline.  Disciplinary actions can include:

• Dismissal
• Advisory Letter
• Letter of Reprimand
• Stipulated Rehabilitation Agreement
• Probation
• Nondisciplinary Order for Continuing Education
• Suspension
• Revocation

Arizona Peer Review Defense Attorneys

If you’re interested in setting up a consultation with our Arizona Attorney for Peer Review or would like to learn more about our medical license and health care law services Chelle Law offers, reach out to us today.