Armin v. Riverside Community Hospital

Opinion

BEDSWORTH, Acting P. J.—

I. INTRODUCTION

We embark here upon an admittedly lengthy voyage—slow going because we must proceed carefully in largely uncharted waters. The appeal requires us to decide two questions of first impression regarding the interaction between (a) hospital peer review proceedings against doctors governed by sections 805 to 809.7 of the Business and Professions Code, and (b) the hospital whistle-blower statute, Health and Safety Code section 1278.5. The first question is one left open by our Supreme Court’s decision in Fahlen v. Sutter Central Valley Hospitals (2014)…