Credentialing & Privileging

A tip a day can chase away the winter doldrums (part 1 of 2)

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, February 1, 2007

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Credentialing Resource Center Connection!

The month of February has arrived, and we could all use a mechanism to help scratch these winter days off our calendar in anticipation of spring.  During a recent flight, while browsing Food and Wine Magazine, I noticed a February calendar designating each day as an opportunity to try a different wine, with the rationale that even if this tactic doesn't help February go by any quicker, then at least you'll enjoy the month a bit more.

 

This gave me the idea to develop a February calendar for medical staff offices, credentials committees, and medical staff leadership.  I know that everyone's day-to-day calendar is already jam-packed, so these 28 tips for checking off on your calendar are meant to be short and sweet.

 

Now, on to the list:

 

Thursday, Feb. 1: Begin preparations for Doctor's Day (March 31)

 

Friday,  Feb.  2: Groundhog Day--read Credentialing & Privileging Advisor

 

Saturday, Feb. 3 and Sunday February 4: Do not go into the office.  Take time for yourself and family.  Watch the Super Bowl.

 

Monday, Feb.5: Purchase "Blind Eye" by James Stewart to give to your credentials committee Chair 

 

Tuesday, Feb.6: Research membership for medical service professionals in NAMSS and/or state affiliation of NAMSS for all staff within the medical staff office. Sign up.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 7: Read up on the Kadlec Medical Center v. Lakeview case and send this information to the members of the credentials committee.

 

Thursday, Feb.8: Review your current privileging delineation forms to see if they are criteria-based (requires specific education, training, and experience) in order for the applicant to be eligible to request privileges.  If not, begin to discuss a criteria-based approach with your medical staff leadership.

 

Friday, Feb. 9: Review policy for new technology and procedures to determine if it needs to be revised.  If no policy exists, add the need to create a policy to the medical staff office work plan for 2007.

 

Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb. 11: Relax with family and friends.  If you have not read "Blind Eye," take some time for an interesting read.  If you have read it, consider whether it is time to read it again.

 

Monday, Feb. 12: Review your allied health policies and procedures to see if you are in compliance with the Joint Commission standards related to HR.1.20.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 13: If you don't have a work plan for the medical staff office, begin to create one for 2007 (See Friday, Feb. 9). Have a manageable plan of attack for any identified areas of deficiency.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 14: Valentine's Day. Provide copies of "Blind Eye" to the credentials committee chair to pass on to the entire credentials committee as an act of love for patients and their families, including their own.

 

These tips should help the first half of February move by a little faster. Look for tips for the rest of the month in next week's edition of Credentialing & Privileging Advisor.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Credentialing Resource Center Connection!

Most Popular

Related Articles