Elimination of conflicts of interest in peer review for quality management of care provided by Veterans Health Administration

(a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 7311A the following new section: 7311B. Elimination of conflicts of interest in peer review for quality management of care (a) In general Each individual responsible for conducting peer review for quality management of care provided by a health care provider at a medical facility of the Department and each member of a peer review committee with respect to quality management of such care shall withdraw from participation in a case review if— (1) the individual has direct involvement with the care under review; or (2) the individual is unable to conduct an objective, impartial, accurate, and informed review. (b) Neutral assessment of conduct of committee members Each medical facility of the Department shall develop procedures and guidelines for that facility to require that any initial peer review for quality management that is conducted with respect to care provided by a health care provider who is a member of the peer review committee for that facility be evaluated, discussed, and assigned a final level review by a neutral peer review committee at another facility of the Department.. (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7311A the following new item: 7311B. Elimination of conflicts of interest in peer review for quality management of care..