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Quick tip: Protect confidential credentials information

Credentialing & Verification Update, June 18, 2008

Medical staff professionals receive many requests for credentials information. While some credentials information (such as anything that can be verified online) is considered public, most credentials information is confidential, including claims history verifications, NPDB reports, and peer reference letters.

State laws vary significantly regarding which parts of credential files are confidential, the individuals to whom a healthcare facility may provide confidential information, and the conditions under which authorized individuals may access confidential files. Healthcare facilities should carefully review applicable laws and regulations to develop a specific policy regarding the confidentiality of credentials information and how to handle requests for public information from individuals who are not authorized to view confidential files.

To help protect confidential credentials information, consider separating public and non-public credentials information. Seal all non-public credentials information in an envelope labeled as confidential; if an unauthorized individual seeks to access public credentials information, it will be easy to allow access to only the appropriate information.

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