243 CMR 3.01 - Scope and Purpose
To assure free self-examination by physicians and institutions, the legislature provided extensive safeguards of confidentiality, immunity and privilege for both internal reviews and reports to the Board. It is the explicit intent of 243 CMR 3.00 that such safeguards be strengthened and extended to the extent permitted by law.
In establishing these patient care assessment requirements, the Board of Registration in Medicine intends to formalize and enhance the functions of committees many or all institutions may already have in place. Such committees include, for example, groups responsible for efforts usually designated as Quality Assurance, Utilization Review, Risk Management, and Credentialing. Wherever already in existence, such committees need not be replaced or removed, so long as in the aggregate they henceforth provide, at minimum, for all of the functions enumerated by the Board of Registration in Medicine herein as the functions of a Qualified Patient Care Assessment Program.
A further purpose of 243 CMR 3.00 is to help the Board satisfy its data collection and disciplinary responsibilities and to assist health care providers in the fulfillment of their reporting obligations under M.G.L. c. 112, § 5F. Finally, 243 CMR 3.00 is in further fulfillment of the Board's obligation to "adopt rules and regulations governing the practice of medicine in order to promote the public health, welfare and safety," pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 5.
Notes
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