Inherent powers of the hospital medical staff

The medical staff is a self-governing, legally separate entity representing the collective professional responsibility of its members in the management and administration of medical care within the hospital. This article explores the essentials of medical staff self-governance: the development and adoption of medical staff bylaws, which may not be unilaterally amended by the governing board; the selection and removal of medical staff officers; the establishment and enforcement of standards for medical staff membership; the establishment of patient care standards; and access to independent legal counsel.