Senate Bill 2413, also known as House Bill 2259, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 11, to enhance the framework surrounding quality improvement committees (QICs) in healthcare. The bill introduces definitions for "adverse healthcare incident," which refers to outcomes resulting in patient death or injury, and "open discussion," which encompasses communications related to these incidents. It establishes that good faith disclosures made by healthcare providers to patients or their families during open discussions do not waive the confidentiality protections associated with QIC documentation. Additionally, the bill clarifies that findings from QICs are not required to be disclosed in legal proceedings, maintaining their confidentiality unless mandated by federal law.

The legislation further allows healthcare providers to engage in voluntary open discussions with patients or their families following adverse incidents, emphasizing that such communications are not admissions of liability and are protected from discovery. It outlines specific conditions for these discussions, including the requirement for participants to acknowledge their understanding of the process and the confidentiality of the communications. The bill also stipulates that any waiver of confidentiality must be explicit and documented, ensuring that the rights of all parties involved are respected. Overall, the bill aims to foster open communication in healthcare settings while safeguarding the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-11-272(b), 68-11-272, 68-11-272(c)
Amended with HA0949 -- 04/06/2026: 68-11-272(b), 68-11-272, 68-11-272(c)