Professional Review: Registering Services

Jason D. Sunstrom, Program Director

Professional Review Committees have historically addressed issues that relate to physicians. Changes to Colorado law have expanded that authority to include physician assistants and advanced practice nurses. If the Professional Review Committee makes recommendations or takes any final action related to a licensee, that action must be forwarded to the Colorado Medical Board or Colorado Nursing Board respectively. Information shared as a part of an investigation by a Professional Review Committee is confidential. Likewise, to encourage healthcare providers to serve on a Professional Review Committee, members are granted immunity from liability under state law.

Professional Review Governing Boards must be registered with the Division of Professions and Occupations. Registration must be completed within thirty (30) days after approving written bylaws, policies, or procedures. A Professional Review Governing Board that does not register with the Division of Professions and Occupations in this timeframe is not entitled to any immunity afforded under the Colorado Professional Review Act until the date the governing board so registers.

To satisfy the registration requirements, governing boards must register electronically using the Division of Professions and Occupations Professional Review Governing Board Registration System. The following data elements must be provided:

• Governing board name
• Governing board physical address
• Governing board mailing address
• Governing board Point of Contact which includes first and last name, title, phone number, and email address.
• Governing board alternate point of contact which includes first and last name, title, phone number, and email address

Changes to any of the data elements must be updated within 30 days.

All Professional Review Governing Boards must submit an annual online report for activities occurring January 1 through December 31.