It is Time for More Physician and Nursing Representation on Hospital Boards in the US

Members of hospital boards are fiduciaries with a legal responsibility to fulfilling the hospital’s mission. Members represent a variety of community members and are responsible for ensuring patient safety and quality of care as well as evaluating the chief executive. Clinicians serve on the board but their numbers are limited and generally under 20%. We review the current state of hospital boards and suggest that physicians, nurses and other clinicians contribute considerably to expertise related to patient safety and more of them should be appointed to hospital boards