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Avoid 'mechanical' and 'decision' failures

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, June 18, 2003

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Dear Credentialing Colleague:

The credentialing process can fail in one of two ways. First, the institution could fail to gather or verify the information essential to making a supportable appointment/reappointment decision. This type of failure is referred to as a "mechanical failure."

The second type of failure--referred to as "decision failure"--is more complex. When presented with accurate and complete physician data, a bad decision is made. Such decisions could be attributed to competitive issues, blind faith, the need for expediency, or the inappropriate belief that physicians should be given the benefit of the doubt.

An excellent medical staff services professional, armed with contemporary credentialing policies, will almost always eliminate the possibility of mechanical failure. It is not difficult today to gather all of the necessary information regarding a physician's background. But if it should become difficult, shift the burden onto the applicant. All processing should cease until the applicant provides complete, accurate, and verifiable information about his or her past.

The elimination of decision failure comes only with a focused sense of purpose, personal integrity, intestinal fortitude, and experience. When complex credentialing issues arise, there is no substitute for a seasoned credentials committee composed of five to seven individuals who are highly trained, well-educated, and dedicated to the medical staff process.

That's all for this week.

All the best,

Hugh Greeley

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