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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 5Art. 12§ 2240 Physician Death Reporting Requirement

§ 2240 Physician Death Reporting Requirement

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2240 Physician Death Reporting Requirement

Key Takeaways

  • •Doctors must report if a patient dies during a medical procedure done outside a hospital within 15 days.
  • •Doctors must also report if a patient needs to stay in the hospital for more than 24 hours after a scheduled procedure done outside a hospital within 15 days.
  • •The report includes details like the patient's name, the procedure, and why they were transferred, but some parts can be sent anonymously.
  • •Not reporting these incidents can get the doctor in trouble for unprofessional conduct.

Example

A patient goes to a clinic for a minor surgery. During the surgery, something goes wrong, and the patient has to be rushed to the hospital and stays there for 3 days.

The doctor who did the surgery must fill out a form and send it to the board within 15 days. The form will include details about what happened and why the patient had to stay in the hospital. If the doctor doesn't send this form, they could get in trouble.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2240 Physician Death Reporting Requirement

(a) A physician and surgeon who performs a medical procedure outside of a general acute care hospital, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, that results in the death of any patient on whom that medical treatment was performed by the physician and surgeon, or by a person acting under the physician and surgeon’s orders or supervision, shall report, in writing on a form prescribed by the board, that occurrence to the board within 15 days after the occurrence. (b) A physician and surgeon who performs a scheduled medical procedure outside of a general acute care hospital, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, that results in the transfer to a hospital or emergency center for medical treatment for a period exceeding 24 hours, of any patient on whom that medical treatment was performed by the physician and surgeon, or by a person acting under the physician and surgeon’s orders or supervision, shall report, in writing, on a form prescribed by the board that occurrence, within 15 days after the occurrence. The form shall contain all of the following information: (1) Name of the patient’s physician in the outpatient setting. (2) Name of the physician with hospital privileges. (3) Name of the patient and patient identifying information. (4) Name of the hospital or emergency center where the patient was transferred. (5) Type of outpatient procedures being performed. (6) Events triggering the transfer. (7) Duration of the hospital stay. (8) Final disposition or status, if not released from the hospital, of the patient. (9) Physician’s practice specialty and ABMS certification, if applicable. (c) The form described in subdivision (b) shall be constructed in a format to enable the physician and surgeon to transmit the information in paragraphs (5) to (9), inclusive, to the board in a manner that the physician and surgeon and the patient are anonymous and their identifying information is not transmitted to the board. The entire form containing information described in paragraphs (1) to (9), inclusive, shall be placed in the patient’s medical record. (d) The board shall aggregate the data and publish an annual report on the information collected pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b). (e) On and after January 1, 2002, the data required in subdivision (b) shall be sent to the Department of Health Care Access and Information instead of the board. The Department of Health Care Access and Information may revise the reporting requirements to fit state and national standards, as applicable. The board shall work with the Department of Health Care Access and Information in developing the reporting mechanism to satisfy the data collection requirements of this section. (f) The failure to comply with this section constitutes unprofessional conduct. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 511, Sec. 10. (SB 1495) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

medical proceduregeneral acute care hospitalunprofessional conductboard

Related Statutes

  • § 2220 Physician Discipline Enforcement
  • § 2259.7 Liposuction Safety Standards
  • § 2216.2 Physician Surgical Liability Insurance
  • § 2220.6 Licensee Fraud Investigation
  • § 2220.7 Physician Settlement Agreement Restrictions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 2240.
View Official Source