Colo. Gov. Signs Off On ASC Peer Review

Bill sponsored by Rep. Kefalas and Sen. Schultheis extends protections for peer review investigations in ASCs

Denver — Colo. Governor Bill Ritter signed legislation that allows licensed ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to conduct physician peer review in the same manner as now exists for hospitals and other healthcare entities.

Peer review committees are composed of physicians who assess the qualifications, conduct and appropriateness of patient care delivered by other physicians. The Colorado Peer Review Act allows healthcare entities to investigate quality of care; allows healthcare entities to limit physician staff membership and privileges to those physicians who are qualified and competent, and meet the entity’s quality standards; allows healthcare entities to discipline physicians who present a risk of patient harm or whose practice does not meet quality standards, such as by restricting membership or privileges; and requires reporting of disciplinary actions to the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners and the National Practitioner Data Bank.

“The peer review process is an essential component in ensuring patient safety,” said GreenwoodAmbulatorySurgeryCenter administrator and Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (CASCA) president Rosalie Bodenhamer. “However without the proper liability protections, the process cannot fully function and would thus compromise patient safety and quality of medical care in Colorado ASCs. We’re very pleased that the General Assembly and Governor Ritter have seen fit to extend this protection to ASCs and we look forward to continuing our efforts to provide top notch medical care for all Coloradans.”

Source: Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association

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