6 . F . 4 . Investigative Procedures : ( a ) The investigating committee has the authority to :
( 1 ) review relevant documents , which may include patient records , incident reports and relevant literature or guidelines ;
( 2 ) conduct interviews and prepare a summary of each interview , which each interviewee will be asked to review , revise , and sign ;
( 3 ) use external review ; or
( 4 ) require an examination or assessment by a health care professional ( s ) acceptable to it . The individual being investigated will execute a release allowing the investigating committee to discuss with the health care professional ( s ) the reasons for the examination or assessment and allowing the health care professional to discuss and report the results to the investigating committee . The cost of such health examination will be borne by the Hospital .
( b ) If a decision is made to obtain an external review , the individual under investigation will be notified of that decision and the nature of the external review . Upon completion of the external review , the individual will be provided a copy of the reviewer ’ s report .
( c ) The individual will have an opportunity to meet with the investigating committee before it prepares its report . Prior to this meeting , the individual will be informed of the questions being investigated . The investigating committee may also ask the individual to provide written responses to specific questions related to the investigation .
( d ) At the meeting , the individual will be invited to discuss , explain , or refute the questions that gave rise to the investigation or that have been identified by the investigating committee during its review . A summary of the interview with the individual will be made and will be included with the investigating committee ’ s report . The interview summary will be shared with the individual prior to the investigating committee finalizing its report . The individual may review the interview summary and recommend suggested changes .
( e ) This meeting is not a hearing , and none of the procedural rules for hearings will apply . Lawyers will not be present at this meeting .
( f ) The investigating committee will make a reasonable effort to complete the investigation and issue its report within 45 days , provided that an external review is not necessary . When an external review is used , the investigating committee will make a reasonable effort to complete the investigation and issue its report within
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