ARTICLE 13: COMMITTEES13.1 Standing Committees13.1.1 Standing committees of the organized <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> will be the <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> ExecutiveCommittee (MSEC), Credentials Committee of the <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong>, <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> Leadership Committee,<strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> Health Committee, Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, Quality and Safety Committee,Risk Management and Peer Review Committee, and Patient Care Committee. Other organizedcommittees of the <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong>, including those charged with the responsibility for reviewing andevaluating the quality of medical or hospital care, will be specified in <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> Policies andProcedures. Although not designated as “standing” committees in these bylaws, they will, nonetheless,have the full protections afforded organized committees of the <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> pursuant to <strong>Arkansas</strong> law.13.1.2 In performing the functions set forth in these <strong>Bylaws</strong>, each standing committee and theirappointed subcommittees are organized committees of the <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong>. These <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong>committees and subcommittees are responsible for reviewing and evaluating the quality of medical orhospital care. All proceedings, minutes, records, or reports of these committees or subcommittees areabsolutely privileged communications and are not subject to discovery or admissible in any legalproceeding.13.2 Appointment to Committees13.2.1 Chairpersons and <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> members of standing committees, except the MSEC, willbe appointed annually by the Chief of the <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong> after consultation with the <strong>Medical</strong> Director, andnotification of the Chief Executive Officer or his/her designee. All standing committee chairs will bemembers in good standing of the Active <strong>Staff</strong>.13.2.2 Special committees may be appointed by the Chief of <strong>Staff</strong> or MSEC as need arises.13.2.3 The Chief Executive Officer, or designee, will assign <strong>Hospital</strong> representatives to serve onthe various committees.13.2.4 All committee members will have voting privileges in committee deliberations except exofficio status or otherwise stated within these <strong>Bylaws</strong>.13.2.5 Multidisciplinary committees of the organized <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong>, designated here as“Professional Partnership Committees”, may be formed to determine proposed actions, policies, andprocedures affecting quality of care, treatment, and services of ACH patients. <strong>Medical</strong> staff will beasked to serve on and chair Professional Partnership Committees. The Patient Care Committee will actas the oversight committee for the Professional Partnership Committees.59
13.3 Notice of Meetings13.3.1 Written, oral or electronic notification stating the date, time and location of any regularmeeting shall be given to committee members prior to each scheduled meeting.13.3.2 Committees may, by resolution, provide the time for holding regular meetings withoutnotice other than such resolution.13.3.3 Special meetings may be called by the chair, the Chief of the <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong>, or byone-third of the members. Members will be notified of special meetings as far in advance as timepermits.13.3.4 In special circumstances, the Chair of a committee may call an electronic meeting; i.e.,inability to form a quorum by those present.13.4 Manner of Action13.4.1 The action of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum, as definedin these <strong>Bylaws</strong>, is present will be the action of committee or service.13.4.2 In the event that a quorum is not present, consent may be attained by polling of asufficient number of voting members to achieve a majority vote.13.5 Rights of Ex Officio Members13.5.1 Persons serving under these <strong>Bylaws</strong> as ex officio members of a committee will not havethe right to vote nor be counted in deciding the existence of a quorum except in the followingcircumstances:13.5.1.1 The ex officio member is serving as the representative of a member.13.5.1.2 The ex officio member is designated by the Chairman of the committee to becounted in deciding the existence of a quorum.13.6 Removal of MembersIf a Member of a committee including the MSEC ceases to be a Member-In-Good-Standing of the<strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Staff</strong>, suffers a loss or significant limitation of practice Privileges, or if any other good causeexists, that Member may be removed by a majority vote of the <strong>Medical</strong> Executive Committee13.7 Minutes13.7.1 Minutes of each regular and special meeting of a committee or service will be prepared asa permanent record and will include members and guests attending, findings, proceedings, andrecommendations.60