The criteria and process for disciplining PAs should be spelled out in the bylaws. The bylaws should give PAs the right to due process when actions taken by the medical staff or governing board adversely affect them. The bylaws should include mechanisms for quality assurance, continuing education, and membership on medical staff committees. They should provide for granting of clinical privileges and proper supervision of PAs regardless of their status as employees of members of the medical staff or of the hospital. In addition, a physician member of the medical staff who chooses not to utilize hospital employed PAs in caring for his or her patients should be protected from denial or limitation of clinical privileges for this reason alone.
Some institutions use both.
With regard to PAs, the medical staff or a unit of the medical staff should bear responsibility for reviewing initial and renewal applications for clinical privileges and for making a recommendation to the governing board. Many hospitals use virtually the same form or process for privileging PAs as they do for physicians. A similar system may be established for PAs. Copyright 1998-2001 American Academy of Physician Assistants. All rights reserved Additional information about the AAPA and the PA profession can also be obtained from the AAPA fax on demand service.