Willits v. SUPERIOR COURT OF SANTA CLARA CTY.

Opinion

PREMO, J.

—This petition for a writ of mandate raises an issue of first impression regarding application of the discovery privilege under Evidence Code section 1157, subdivision (a), which protects “proceedings” and “records” of a hospital staff committee “having the responsibility of evaluation and improvement of the quality of care rendered in the hospital. . . .” We hold that the statute applies to a hospital employee’s suit for damages.

Factual and Procedural Background

Petitioner Kathryn Ann Willits was employed as a critical care nurse at San Jose Medical Center (hereafter, SJMC)…