Medical director post may require additional liability coverage

Q: I've been asked to serve as a hospital medical director. What liability exposures do I face, and how can I ensure I'm covered properly?

A: Distinguishing between professional services provided to patients and administrative services provided to a facility that renders professional services to patients may sound like splitting hairs, but in terms of malpractice litigation, it can mean the difference between having protection for your assets or not.

Typically, physicians are held to be individually accountable for their actions. No distinctions are made between allegations of professional negligence in the performance of director duties. Thus establishing policies, procedures, and protocols in a hospital can create the same potential liability as your routine treatment of patients. With that in mind, it would be prudent for you to:

Answers to our readers' questions were provided by John W. Miller II, principal of Sterling Risk Advisors in Atlanta, Georgia. Send your money management questions to medec@advanstar.com

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