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Using information from Google when credentialing medical staff applicants

Credentialing & Verification Update, January 28, 2009

Without a doubt, Google and other search engines have transformed the way credentialers verify medical staff applicants’ histories. Not only can search engines, including the online Credentialing and Privileging Desktop Reference, help you find a missing medical school fax number, some can also reveal myriad details about a physician’s past personal or professional life. Work-related incidents, personal mishaps, lawsuits, and other facts often turn up in a simple Google search.

Indeed, running a Google query on medical staff applicants should not be skipped in the event it does reveal information not contained on the application. Credentialers should, however, exercise discretion in how they use this information.

Although any disconcerting information discovered about an applicant on a Google search should be treated as a red flag on the application, any information for which the Internet is the sole source should never be considered conclusive or the justification for a denial of privileges or other action.

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