Profession
Calif. medical staff approves settlement with hospital
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 11, 2004
The medical staff at Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura in Ventura, Calif., Sept. 21 voted unanimously to accept bylaw changes in a settlement with the hospital board, said orthopedic surgeon John Hill, MD, medical staff president at Community Memorial Hospital.
The vote finalizes an agreement between the board and medical staff that settles a lawsuit the medical staff filed against the hospital in 2003. Doctors sued after the board adopted policies that took away the medical staff's right to self-govern. Doctors say the agreement gives them the independence they need to do their jobs and lays the groundwork for better communication between the two sides.
At press time, doctors were next waiting for the court to formally dismiss their lawsuit.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/10/11/prbf1011.htm.
