House Bill 2259, also known as Senate Bill 2413, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 11, to enhance the legal framework surrounding quality improvement committees (QICs) in healthcare. The bill introduces new definitions, including "adverse healthcare incident," which refers to outcomes related to patient care that result in death or injury, and "open discussion," which encompasses communications made under this section that are not subject to discovery unless specifically prepared for that purpose. Additionally, the bill establishes that good faith disclosures made by healthcare providers to patients or their families do not waive the confidentiality protections of QIC documentation.

The legislation further clarifies that healthcare providers and organizations are not obligated to disclose QIC findings during legal proceedings, ensuring that participation in QIC reviews remains confidential. It allows for voluntary open discussions between healthcare providers and patients or their families following adverse incidents, emphasizing that such communications are privileged and not admissible in court. The bill also outlines the conditions for these discussions, including the requirement to inform participants of their right to legal counsel and the implications of waiving confidentiality. Overall, the bill aims to promote transparency and communication in healthcare while protecting the confidentiality of QIC processes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-11-272(b), 68-11-272, 68-11-272(c)