Jay Guthrie, KC

Jay Guthrie, KC has a civil litigation practice with primary emphasis on health care law. He has more than 30 years of experience representing staff, administration and boards of health care facilities throughout Alberta in high-exposure professional malpractice actions and other complex disputes, both in the courtroom and through various alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Jay also represents major active treatment hospitals at fatality and other inquiries.

Jay leverages his deep experience addressing the root causes of health care litigation to help organizations achieve operational efficiency, manage risk and avoid future conflicts. He serves as a strategic advisor to health care institutions with respect to medical-legal and hospital administration issues, including the following:

• Advice on risk management issues, including the identification and assessment of clinical risks and development of integrated loss prevention and quality improvement strategies
• Clinical policy and practice opinions and immediate advice on day-to-day operational and administrative issues
• Assistance in the development, formulation and review of local and regional policies and procedures
• Representation in meetings, hearings and appeals involving medical staff disputes
• Medical staff issues, including the negotiation and formulation of medical staff bylaws and review of medical staff privileges
• Health governance and management issues
• Coordination of health delivery in various health care settings
• Periodic updating of Administration on emerging legislation and legal issues relevant to hospitals and health authorities
• Proactive advice and education on legislative developments and legal trends