Identify the various committees of a HCO (Health Care Organization) board and evaluate the function of each committee. Please first read “Physicians on Hospital Boards: Time for New Approaches” (2011, February) and then discuss the Joint Commission requirement: “Joint Commission requires that medical staff members to be eligible for full membership” on the hospital board—but does not mandate that any medical staff officer or other physician be a voting or nonvoting board member.
Submission Details:
- Submit your answers in a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document.
Reference:
Physicians on Hospital Boards: Time for New Approaches. (2011, February).
Retrieved from
GreatBoards-reprint-2011-Physicians-on-Hospital-Boards.pdf
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
HCO (Health Care Organization) consists of various committees, each responsible for a specific function. Medical staff members’ eligibility is mandatory for full membership in the HCO board. However, any medical staff officer or physician’s voting or non-voting membership is not mandatory. This answer will discuss the different HCO committees and their functions and evaluate the Joint Commission requirement.
Various Committees of HCO Board and their Functions:
1. Executive Committee: The executive committee comprises the HCO board’s officers and handles the HCO’s day-to-day operations. They prepare and implement the organization’s budget and policies, oversee the quality of healthcare, develop strategies to enhance patient care, and supervise the HCO’s administrative activities.
2. Audit Committee: This committee is responsible for evaluating the HCO’s financial and operational performance. They review the internal financial control systems, external audit reports, and the HCO’s accounting practices to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
3. Quality Committee: The mission of the quality committee is to monitor and improve healthcare quality and safety. They implement and oversee quality improvement plans, analyze patient care data, and develop policies and procedures to achieve the highest standard of patient care.
4. Medical Staff Credentialing Committee: This committee reviews and evaluates the medical staff’s credentials, qualifications, and competence. They make recommendations on medical staff privileges, appointment, reappointment, and clinical privileges.
5. Compensation Committee: This committee provides recommendations on the compensation packages for the HCO’s executives, employees, and medical staff members. They review market salary data, benefit plans, and other related issues to ensure fair compensation.
Evaluation of the Joint Commission Requirement:
The Joint Commission requirement is that medical staff members must be eligible for full membership on the hospital board. Medical staff members’ participation and representation on the board are essential because they understand the healthcare system’s clinical aspects and the patients’ needs. The Joint Commission does not mandate that any medical staff officer or physician be a voting or nonvoting board member. However, having a medical staff officer or physician on the HCO board as a voting member is important as they can provide valuable insight into clinical and patient care issues during board meetings.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the HCO board has various committees, each responsible for a specific function, including the Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Quality Committee, Medical Staff Credentialing Committee, and Compensation Committee. Medical staff members’ eligibility is mandatory for full HCO board membership. The Joint Commission requires medical staff members to be eligible for full membership in the HCO board but does not mandate that any medical staff officer or physician be a voting or nonvoting board member. However, having a medical staff officer or physician as a voting member is crucial for effective decision-making during board meetings.
