UHCCR1
Office of the President December 9, 2008
Members, Board of Trustees:
UK HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Recommendation: that the Board of Trustees: (a) rename the Medical Malpractice Claims Committee as the "UK HealthCare Risk Management Committee;" (b) designate the Committee as the duly delegated agent to approve settlements and to determine whether an appeal should be taken from any judgment pursuant to KRS 164.941(4); (c) charge the committee with the responsibility to manage all aspects of the risk of liability arising from health care malpractice claims and judgments, including identification and assessment of risk, risk education, integration of risk reduction practices with quality, safety, and performance improvement initiatives of UK HealthCare, investigation and servicing of claims, and litigation management; and (d) designate the members of the committee as follows:
1. General Counsel, Chair
2. Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
3. Vice President for Health Care Operations
4. Senior Vice President for Health Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, UK HealthCare
5. Chief Administrative Officer, Chandler Hospital
6. Dean of the College of Medicine
7. Chief Medical Officer, UK HealthCare
8. Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
9. UK Physician Appointed by the UK HealthCare Risk Management Committee
10. Associate Chief Medical Officer for Medical Affairs
11. Director of UK HealthCare Risk Management
12. Designated Senior Associate General Counsel Medical Center
Background: On May 4, 1976, pursuant to the University of Kentucky Medical Malpractice Insurance Act, KRS 164.939 to 164.944, the Board of Trustees established a basic compensation fund for the purpose of paying claims or judgments for personal injury or death to patients resulting from any tort or breach of duty based on health care services rendered or which should have been rendered by the university or its agents. The Board of Trustees designated a claims committee to serve as the delegated agent to approve settlements to be paid out of the basic compensation fund. Based on the reorganization of the governance and management of the medical center, the membership of the committee should be updated. Further, the authority and responsibility of the committee should be expanded to include management of all aspects of the risk of liability arising from health care malpractice claims and judgments consistent with the quality, safety, and performance improvement initiatives of UK HealthCare.
Action taken: Approved      □ Disapproved        □ Other