A
California appeals court affirmed a lower court's ruling denying a physician's
medical staff reappointment at a private hospital. Pursuant to a conditional
reappointment agreement, the physician agreed to attend CME courses, and not
engage in specified acts of disruptive behavior. The physician requested a
formal hearing on a recommendation that his privileges be revoked for failing
to comply with the terms of the agreement. The physician challenged the peer
review committee's findings, arguing he was
not
given a
fair hearing
and
the
evidence used against him was inadmissible hearsay. The court held that the
hearings conducted did not prejudice the physician and the evidence was admissible
both under the
government code and hospital bylaws.