Government
Tenn. Legislature passes teaching hospital immunity bill
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 14, 2004
Teaching hospitals in Tennessee would be immune from liability in situations in which they have no control over residents if Gov. Phil Bredesen signs a bill that the Legislature approved in May. The bill would not give teaching hospitals immunity when they are the cause of the negligence.
The bill is in response to a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling that found that teaching hospitals and teaching physicians could be held vicariously liable for resident physicians.
The Tennessee Medical Assn. and Tennessee Hospital Assn. said the court ruling could jeopardize resident programs because hospitals wouldn't want to open themselves up to risk. The bill, the associations said, would ensure that teaching programs remain in the state.
At press time, the bill was awaiting the governor's signature. It would go into effect July 1.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/06/14/gvbf0614.htm.
