604

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch.8

(II) "PROVIDER OF HEALTH CARE" DOES NOT
INCLUDE ANY NURSING INSTITUTION THAT IS CONDUCTED BY AND FOR
THOSE WHO RELY ON TREATMENT BY SPIRITUAL MEANS THROUGH
PRAYER ALONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TENETS AND PRACTICES OF
A RECOGNIZED CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION.

(B)  DESCRIPTION OF MEDICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.

FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A MEDICAL REVIEW
COMMITTEE IS:

(1)  A REGULATORY BOARD OR AGENCY ESTABLISHED BY
STATE OR FEDERAL LAW TO LICENSE, CERTIFY, OR DISCIPLINE ANY
PROVIDER OF HEALTH CARE;

(2)  A COMMITTEE OF THE FACULTY OR ANY OF ITS
COMPONENT SOCIETIES OR A COMMITTEE OF ANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL
SOCIETY OR ASSOCIATION COMPOSED OF PROVIDERS OF HEALTH CARE;

(3)  A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY OR ESTABLISHED IN A
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR REVIEW PURPOSES;

(4)  A COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL STAFF OR OTHER
COMMITTEE OF A HOSPITAL OR RELATED INSTITUTION, IF THE
GOVERNING BOARD OF THE HOSPITAL OR RELATED INSTITUTION FORMS
AND APPROVES THE COMMITTEE OR APPROVES THE WRITTEN BYLAWS
UNDER WHICH THE COMMITTEE OPERATES;

(5)  ANY PERSON, INCLUDING A PROFESSIONAL
STANDARD REVIEW ORGANIZATION, WHO CONTRACTS WITH AN AGENCY
OF THIS STATE OR OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PERFORM ANY OF
THE FUNCTIONS LISTED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION; OR

(6)  ANY PERSON WHO CONTRACTS WITH A PROVIDER OF
HEALTH CARE TO PERFORM ANY OF THOSE FUNCTIONS LISTED IN
SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION THAT ARE LIMITED TO THE
REVIEW OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PROVIDER OF HEALTH CARE.

(C)  FUNCTIONS OF MEDICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.

FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A MEDICAL REVIEW
COMMITTEE:

(1)  EVALUATES AND SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY
OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDED BY PROVIDERS OF HEALTH CARE;

(2)  EVALUATES THE NEED FOR AND THE LEVEL OF
PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDED BY PROVIDERS OF HEALTH
CARE ;

(3)  EVALUATES THE QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCE,
AND PERFORMANCE OF PROVIDERS OF HEALTH CARE; OR

(4)  EVALUATES AND ACTS ON MATTERS THAT RELATE TO
THE DISCIPLINE OF ANY PROVIDER OF HEALTH CARE.

(D)  RECORDS OF MEDICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE NOT ADMISSIBLE
OR DISCOVERABLE -- IN GENERAL.