General Surgery Board Review Professional Standards & Competencies 5

Question 1

A patient requests a copy of their operative report. Under HIPAA, the covered entity must provide this within:

Accepted Answer

30 calendar days (extendable by 30 days once)

Answer

HIPAA requires covered entities to provide access to records within 30 days, with one 30-day extension if notice is given.

Question 2

A surgeon consistently ranks in the lowest performance quartile on NSQIP risk-adjusted outcomes. The most appropriate institutional response is to:

Accepted Answer

Initiate a focused professional practice evaluation (FPPE)

Answer

FPPE is the appropriate structured review process triggered by identified performance concerns before privilege action is taken.

Question 3

When a surgeon who holds a financial interest in a surgical center refers patients there, disclosure to patients is required by:

Accepted Answer

The Stark Law only for Medicare/Medicaid referrals

Answer

The Stark Law (Physician Self-Referral Law) prohibits undisclosed self-referrals for Medicare/Medicaid patients and requires disclosure of financial relationships.

Question 4

During a difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the attending surgeon allows the chief resident to perform the critical view of safety dissection under direct supervision. This practice is:

Accepted Answer

Appropriate graduated autonomy consistent with training objectives

Answer

Graduated autonomy under direct supervision is a core principle of surgical education and is ethically and professionally appropriate.

Question 5

A surgeon in a rural solo practice is preparing to retire. Their primary ethical obligation to current patients is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure each active patient receives adequate notice and transfer of care arrangements

Answer

Retiring surgeons must provide adequate notice and help arrange transfer of care for all active patients to avoid abandonment.

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Professional Standards & Competencies 5