Opinion ID: 3010958
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Executive Committee6

Text: _________________________________________________________________ 4. The minutes indicate that Dr. Pamintuan was not the only physician cited for lack of availability. The April and May 1992 minutes record an incident involving a physician who failed to respond to a delivery because he was in surgery. In response, the OB/GYN Department determined that  `it is the responsibility of the Obstetrician to be present for delivery or arrange for another Obstetrician to be present.'  5. The Quality Assurance Committee is responsible for, inter alia, the duty to assure the safety of patients and that patient care and hospital services, including the medical care provided by physicians at the Hospital, are the most appropriate for the health of the patient and of highest quality possible. 6. The Executive Committee is comprised of the officers of the medical staff, the chairpersons of each department, the ICU director, and the Emergency Department director. 6 In May 1994, the Executive Committee, finding the Quality Assurance Committee's recommendations unworkable, voted unanimously to suspend Dr. Pamintuan's clinical privileges pending further investigation. Dr. Pamintuan was notified by letter of the Executive Committee's decision. In response to a Request for Investigation Concerning Possible Professional Review Action submitted by the Quality Assurance Committee, the Executive Committee met with Dr. Pamintuan to discuss her suspension and the need for a formal investigation. At the meeting, the Executive Committee opted to reject Dr. Pamintuan's proposal for an informal intervention and voted unanimously to continue her suspension. Rather than request a hearing, Dr. Pamintuan and Nanticoke Memorial agreed that she would take a sixmonth leave of absence beginning July 1, 1994, during which her suspension would be terminated and the formal investigation held in abeyance.