In a suit involving a suicide of a 27-year-old male claims were advanced against two health care providers: a psychiatric APRN and a psychiatrist with whom the APRN had a collaborative agreement. The psychiatrist shared office facilities with the APRN but the patient was seen exclusively by the APRN. In addition to allegations of vicarious liability as to the psychiatrist, plaintiff claimed that the psychiatrist had improperly discharged supervisory responsibilities arising under the collaborative agreement. Discovery established that the APRN had never sought out the psychiatrist for advice or guidance as to treatment of the young man. Settlement was reached with the APRN. Thereafter, plaintiff’s counsel withdrew the claims as to the psychiatrist without payment when confronted with the argument that the mere existence of a collaborative agreement (see C.G.S.A 20-87A) does not create an independent duty on the part of the psychiatrist.
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