Opinion ID: 2392893
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: discovery of peer review records

Text: Extraordinary relief is authorized to prevent the disclosure of confidential or privileged information. McMurry v. Eckert, Ky., 833 S.W.2d 828 (1992); Froedge v. Walden, Ky., 624 S.W.2d 833 (1981); Bender v. Eaton, supra. As stated in the seminal case of Bender v. Eaton, supra, at p. 802: Once the information is furnished it cannot be recalled . . . The injury suffered by petitioners, assuming their adversaries have no right to this disclosure under the Civil Rules, will be complete upon compliance with the order and such injury could not thereafter be rectified in subsequent proceedings in the case. Petitioners have no other adequate remedy. Dr. Peasley has argued that the provisions of KRS 311.377 violate the Kentucky Constitution. However, Dr. Peasley failed to give notice to the Attorney General of the pendency of his constitutional challenge in violation of KRS 418.075 and Civil Rule 24.03 in either the Court of Appeals or this Court. Since the original action was filed in the Court of Appeals, it is considered the trial court for the purpose of applying the procedural mandate of Maney v. Mary Chiles Hosp., Ky., 785 S.W.2d 480 (1990). In Maney, supra, at 482, we held that the requirements of KRS 418.075 are mandatory in order for a court to consider the constitutionality of a statute and that strict enforcement of the statute will eliminate procedural uncertainty. Accordingly, we decline to consider that issue. The language of KRS 311.377(2) clearly extends privilege and confidentiality of peer review proceedings, records, opinions, conclusions, and recommendations to . . . any civil action in any court . . . Therefore we find that the statute applies to any civil action, including the pending case. Smith v. Magruder, Ky.App., 566 S.W.2d 430, 431 (1978); Owensboro Cablevision Inc. v. Libs, Ky.App., 863 S.W.2d 331, 333 (1993). Accordingly, we reverse a part of the Kentucky Court of Appeals' decision and grant Appellants' Motion for a Writ of Prohibition which prohibits the discovery of the proceedings, records, opinions, conclusions, and recommendations of the entities of Memorial Hospital performing a designated professional review function, pertaining to Dr. Peasley or any other physician who was granted or continued to exercise staff privileges after June 17, 1978, by any health services organization. Petitioner's Motion for Writ of Mandamus is also granted. Accordingly, the trial court is directed to enter a Protective Order consistent with the broad language of the statute and this decision.