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Leaves of absence and physician reappointments

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, August 31, 2006

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Recently, a reader asked whether the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) allows any exceptions for practitioners returning from leaves of absence for active military duty. Specifically, when their reappointments are due to expire or have expired, do these practitioners have to start the application process from scratch upon return from active service?

The JCAHO does not distinguish between leaves of absence for military, personal, or medical reasons. Further, the Joint Commission does not allow for extensions or for practitioners to practice beyond their two-year reappointment date.

Your medical staff bylaws should outline the process for requesting a leave of absence. This bylaw can delineate special conditions for practitioners requesting leave when they are called to active military duty. In addition, the bylaws should include requirements for requesting reinstatement of membership and privileges, allowing time for the facility to verify clinical activity.

Consider the following options for handling the reappointment of a practitioner who takes a leave of absence:

·        Process the practitioner's reappointment before the leave is in effect, even if this date occurs before his or her reappointment date

·        Allow the reappointment to lapse and fully re-credential the practitioner upon his or her return

·        Process the practitioners' reappointment during his or her leave

Under all of these circumstances, you must verify the practitioner's current competence and ability to perform the privileges requested prior to allowing him or her to practice at your institution.

The practitioner should provide both a summary of professional activities undertaken during the leave of absence and any additional information requested by the hospital. Verification of this information by the facility should be consistent with credentialing and privileging policies and procedures. 

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