Consultations

(a) The medical staff shall have established policies concerning the holding of consultations. (b) The status of consultants shall be determined by the medical staff on the basis of an individual's training, experience, and competence. A consultant shall be qualified to give an opinion in the field in which his or her opinion is sought. (c) A consultation shall include a written opinion, signed by the consultant; the written opinion shall be included in the medical record. When operative procedures are involved, the consultation note, except in an emergency, shall be recorded prior to operation. (d) The patient's physician or licensed independent practitioner is responsible for requesting consultations when indicated. It is the duty of the medical staff, through its chief of service and executive committee, to make certain that members of the staff do not fail in the matter of contacting consultants as needed and in a timely manner. The medical staff shall establish and enforce policies on appropriate methods to be used when contacting consultants. (e) Routine procedures, such as diagnostic imaging and electrocardiogram determination, are not normally considered to be consultations.