Rhode Island § 5-37-29 - Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline

§ 5-37-29. Hospital responsibility to take action based upon adverse information received.

(a) Whenever a hospital receives information from the board pursuant to § 5-37-9(3), or from another hospital pursuant to § 5-37-28, that indicates that the privileges of a physician or other healthcare professional have been suspended, revoked, or limited at another hospital, the receiving hospital shall within thirty (30) days initiate a preliminary inquiry into whether the privileges of the affected physician or other healthcare professional at the receiving hospital should be suspended, revoked, or limited, based upon a review of the exercise of privileges at the receiving hospital, unless the information received indicates that any adverse action with respect to privileges was administrative in character.

(b) Any hospital receiving information described in subsection (a) may take any one or more of the following courses of action, in addition to any action that is required under subsection (a), any one of which discharges its responsibility under this chapter to monitor the qualifications and fitness of physicians and other healthcare professionals on its medical staff:

(1) In any case that has been referred to the board, to await final disposition of the board, and to take any further action that is consistent with sanctions, if any, imposed by the board;

(2) In any case in which the matter has resulted in the suspension, revocation, or restrictions of privileges at any other hospital, to adopt the factual findings of the other hospital, and to impose any suspension, revocation, or restriction in privileges as the receiving hospital deems appropriate, if any, in light of the facts; or

(3) In any case, to conduct a formal inquiry, in accordance with applicable procedural requirements, to determine what action, if any, should be taken with respect to the privileges of the physician or other healthcare professional.

(c) No hospital, or officer, employee, physician, or other healthcare professional associated with the hospital is liable to any physician or other healthcare professional for any action taken in accordance with subsection (a) or (b) when that action was made in good faith.