Medical Staff
The WSMA believes the organized medical staff is an integral part of the
hospital structure. The organized medical staff performs essential
hospital functions even though it may often consist primarily of
independent practicing physicians who are not hospital employees. The WSMA
endorses that members of the organized medical staff may choose to act as
a group for the purpose of communicating and dealing with the governing
board and others with respect to matters that concern the interest of the
organized medical staff and its members. This is ethical so long as there
is no adverse interference with patient care or violation of applicable
laws. (JC 4.05-87) (Reaffirmed A-23)
The WSMA is opposed to the establishment of closed medical staff policies
by any hospital in Washington State. (Res 4, B-86) (Reaffirmed A-23)
Return to the WSMA Policy Compendium index
Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services