SB887 - Arkansas Peer Review Fairness Act

• Establishes the Arkansas Peer Review Fairness Act to ensure peer review proceedings affecting physicians' hospital privileges and medical staff membership are conducted fairly and in compliance with the federal Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986.

• Requires physicians be promptly notified when referred for investigation and grants absolute right to legal representation; if hospital counsel participates in review, physician may have independent legal counsel present at any proceeding.

• Mandates hospitals provide all relevant information (inculpatory and exculpatory) to both the professional review body and physician, and requires physicians be given opportunity to discuss cases before adverse decisions during investigations.

• Allows physicians to seek injunctions or equitable relief to correct erroneous peer review decisions, with prevailing physicians entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs as determined by the court.

• Protects all peer review proceedings and related records as confidential and exempt from discovery; maintains liability immunity for professional review bodies acting in good faith and without malice.