This RSA section is an unofficial mirror, is not legal advice, and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed.

RSA 151:13-b · Proceedings of Home Health Care Provider Quality Assurance Program; Confidentiality

151:13-b Proceedings of Home Health Care Provider Quality Assurance Program; Confidentiality. –

Copy link
I.

In this section:

Copy link
(a)

"Records" means records of interviews, internal review and investigations, and all reports, statements, minutes, memoranda, charts, statistics, and other documentation generated during the activities of a quality assurance program. "Records" shall not mean original medical records or other records kept relative to any patient in the course of business of operating as a home health care provider.

Copy link
(b)

"Quality assurance program" means a comprehensive, ongoing, and organization-wide system of mechanisms established by a home health care provider, as defined in RSA 151:2-b, for monitoring and evaluating the quality and appropriateness of the care provided to patients, so that important problems and trends in the delivery of care are identified and steps are taken to correct problems and to take advantage of opportunities to improve care.

Copy link
II.

Records of a quality assurance program, including those of its functional components and committees, as defined by the home health care provider's quality assurance plans, and testimony by persons participating in or appearing before the quality assurance program or its functional components or committees, relating to the activities of the quality assurance program shall be confidential and privileged and shall be protected from direct or indirect means of discovery, subpoena, or admission into evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding. However, information, documents, or records otherwise available from original sources are not to be construed as immune from discovery or use in any such civil or administrative action merely because they were presented to a quality assurance program, and any person who supplies information or testifies as part of a quality assurance program, or who is a member of a quality assurance program committee, may not be prevented from testifying as to matters within his or her knowledge, but such witness may not be asked about his or her testimony before such program, or opinions formed by him or her, as a result of committee participation. Further, a program's records shall be discoverable in either of the following cases:

Copy link
(a)

A legal action brought by a home health care provider to revoke or restrict a staff member's license or certification; or

Copy link
(b)

A proceeding alleging repetitive malicious action and personal injury brought against a staff member.

Copy link
III.

The board of directors or trustees of a home health care provider may waive privileges under this section and release information or present records of the quality assurance program by discovery, subpoena, or admission into evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

Copy link
IV.

No person or entity shall be held liable in any action for damages or other relief arising from their good faith participation in a quality assurance program, or from the providing of information to a quality assurance program or in any judicial or administrative proceeding. Source. 1998, 93:1. 2002, 221:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003.

Copy link

Source note

Source. 1998, 93:1. 2002, 221:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003.

Source history

  • 1998, 93:1
  • 2002, 221:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1215 amend

    als through coercive or exclusive transfer arrangements that are not clinically justified. 4 New Subdivision; Transfers from Freestanding Hospital Emergency Facilities. Amend RSA 151 by inserting after section 53 the following new subdivision: Transfers from Freestanding Hospital Emergency Facilities 151:54 Definitions. In this subdivision: I. “Freestanding hospital emergency facility” or

  • 2026 HB1292 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    to this chapter. II. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of health and human services shall not take action against a facility licensed under RSA 151 based primarily on the institution's participation in the treatment or use of [an investigational] a drug, biologic, or device under this chapter. III. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a manufac

  • 2026 HB1292-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    to this chapter. II. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of health and human services shall not take action against a facility licensed under RSA 151 based primarily on the institution's participation in the treatment or use of [an investigational] a drug, biologic, or device under this chapter. III. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a manufac

  • 2026 HB1321 reference

    atient to alleviate symptoms of temporary discomfort or improve temporary wellness; and III. That is not administered in a physician's office or a health facility licensed under RSA 151. 329:55 Provision of Elective Intravenous Therapy. Elective intravenous therapy may only be prescribed or ordered by a physician licensed under this chapter, a physician associate licensed under RSA 328-D acting with

  • 2026 HB1347 amend

    lth care provider networks and referrals. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Health Care Referrals. Amend RSA 151 by inserting after section 9-b the following new section: 151:9-c Health Care Referrals. I. No health care facility licensed under this chapter shall prohibit referrals from independent and outside primary care prov

  • 2026 HB1562 amend · effective 2032-01-01

    herwise paid by a third party. 4 New Section; Residential Care and Health Facility Licensing; Patients' Bill of Rights for Direct Payment and Membership-Based Facilities. Amend RSA 151 by inserting after section 21-b the following new section: 151:21-c Patients' Bill of Rights for Direct Payment and Membership-Based Facilities. The policy describing the rights and responsibilities of each patient a

  • 2026 HB1562-FN amend · effective 2032-01-01

    herwise paid by a third party. 4 New Section; Residential Care and Health Facility Licensing; Patients' Bill of Rights for Direct Payment and Membership-Based Facilities. Amend RSA 151 by inserting after section 21-b the following new section: 151:21-c Patients' Bill of Rights for Direct Payment and Membership-Based Facilities. The policy describing the rights and responsibilities of each patient a

  • 2026 HB1653 amend

    protect patient safety, continuity of care, and community access. 2 New Subdivision; Patient Choice and Transfer Practices at Freestanding Hospital Emergency Facilities. Amend RSA 151 by inserting after section 53 the following new subdivision: Patient Choice and Transfer Practices at Freestanding Hospital Emergency Facilities 151:54 Definitions. In this subdivision: I. “Freestanding hospit

  • 2026 HB1660 reference · effective 2037-04-01

    ing communities compliant with 42 U.S.C. Section 3607(b); (b) Continuing care retirement communities under RSA 420-D; (c) Skilled care or nursing facilities licensed under RSA 151; (d) Assisted living facilities under RSA 151; (e) Workforce housing as defined in RSA 674:58, or (f) Other housing that addresses documented community housing needs as identified in a municipal master plan,

  • 2026 HB1735 reference

    to this chapter. II. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of health and human services shall not take action against a facility licensed under RSA 151 based primarily on the institution's participation in the treatment or use of [an investigational] a drug, biologic, or device under this chapter. III. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a manufac

  • 2026 HB1735-FN reference

    to this chapter. II. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of health and human services shall not take action against a facility licensed under RSA 151 based primarily on the institution's participation in the treatment or use of [an investigational] a drug, biologic, or device under this chapter. III. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a manufac

  • 2026 HB232 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    medical professionals. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Subdivision; Request for Reasonable Accommodation Not to Participate in Abortion Services. Amend RSA 151 by inserting after section 53 the following new subdivision: Request for Reasonable Accommodation Not to Participate in Abortion Services 151:54 Request for Reasonable Accommodation Not to Participate in Abort