What Are My Rights if a Hospital Wants to Suspend My Privileges?

 Posted on October 30, 2024 in Medical License Defense

Hospital privileges are important for patient care and vital to a physician’s practice and reputation. A loss of these privileges can be devastating for a licensed health professional and can impact his or her career. If a hospital wants to suspend a physician’s privileges, it must follow certain guidelines set in Illinois law. These guidelines include certain rights that every health professional is entitled to when faced with the loss of hospital privileges.

This article will discuss when hospitals can suspend a member’s privileges and the member’s rights when facing a suspension. For more details or questions regarding your specific case, consult an experienced Illinois professional license defense attorney.

Why Do Hospitals Suspend Privileges?

Hospitals may decide to suspend a physician's privileges for a variety of reasons. The most common ones include:

• Legal and ethical violations: A doctor who violates legal or ethical codes may be at risk of losing hospital privileges. Breaching doctor-patient confidentiality, engaging in sexual misconduct, or breaking HIPAA laws are examples of violations that might lead to hospital privilege suspension.
• Incompetency: Another major reason why a hospital might suspend a physician’s privileges is if there are reports that he or she is clinically incompetent. Patient complaints or peer reviews may spark a suspension, as may reports of patient harm, neglect, or mistreatment.
• Behavioral misconduct: A physician who proves disruptive or hostile toward hospital staff may also trigger a privilege suspension.

What Are My Rights When My Hospital Privileges Are Suspended?

Under Illinois law, you have the following rights if a hospital wants to suspend your privileges:

• You have the right to advance notice of the suspension. The notice must include a detailed explanation of the reasons for the decision to suspend your privileges.
• You have the right to a fair hearing before a panel. This is where you can present your evidence and argue your case. Note that a hospital has the right to suspend your privileges before the hearing if it feels you present a danger to the public. In that case, a hearing must be held within 15 days of the suspension.
• You have the right to be represented by an attorney at the hearing.
• You have the right to an appeal.
• You have the right to review any external reports, complaints, or other evidence being used against you.
• If the hospital governing board decides to suspend your privileges, you have a right to receive that decision in writing, along with a written explanation.

Contact an Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney

Facing the loss of hospital privileges can be a daunting and even terrifying experience. When you hire The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., you are retaining the strongest possible defense for your hospital privileges and your career. We are highly experienced in license defense and we will prepare a legal strategy customized to your unique circumstances. Schedule a free consultation with an Illinois loss of hospital privileges defense lawyer by calling 630-310-1267 today.