Over the past few years, there has been more intense focus on medical staff actions related to disruptive conduct of physicians.

In the past, many hospitals did not have any policies, procedures or guidelines to assist them when faced with the unprofessional conduct of a particular physician – especially when such conduct was not directly related to quality of care.

Too often the decision of whether disciplinary action should be taken against a particular physician was dependent upon such factors as whether that physician significantly contributed to the hospital’s fiscal bottom line or whether that physician had a special relationship with the hospital’s administration.

» Read more: New Standards On Disruptive Behavior Require A Measured Approach