Debunking myths (also known as untruths) about privileging

Myth #1: Clinical privileges are "owned" by physicians. Privileges are requested and then granted based on the practitioner's licensure, education and/or training, experience, current competence, and ability to perform as well as information from ongoing professional practice evaluations is used to determined whether to continue, limit, or revoke clinical privileges. Clinical privileges are in fact granted by the governing body for not more than a 24 month period. They are not "owned" by physicians.

Myth #2: Clinical privileges and criteria are defined, determined, and granted by the clinical departments. Clinical departments should certainly be asked for and should provide input regarding clinical privileges and criteria as applicable. However, only the governing body can approve the types of procedures or services offered at the facility; grant clinical privileges; and approve the criteria to be eligible to request the specific privilege/procedure.

Myth #3: A physician is entitled to all clinical privileges requested unless not sufficiently trained or qualified. A variety of factors can come into play here as to why a physician can be refused a specific clinical privilege. Was a privilege inadvertently included on the privilege form which is not even a service that the board has determined will be offered at the facility? Is there an exclusive contract that delineates a certain specialty group can only provide the service?

Myth #4: There are "textbook" criteria available for delineating privileges. No, unfortunately there are not. There are, however, many published guidelines and statements by various medical societies, specialty associations and boards, but they are meant to be just that-guidelines.  Each organization should take this information into account and customize these guidelines as appropriate for their facility, staff, and resources.

Myth #5: Exercising any privilege is just like riding a bicycle. This is another misconception. While there are some procedures that have transferable skills, there are others that must continue to be performed in order to maintain the skill.  Decisions about which procedures need to be performed periodically in order to maintain the skill are best left to clinicians wearing their medical staff leader hats.

And speaking of hats, let's hope we will not need our winter hats in order to stay warm much longer.

Remember, credentialing has no other master than the patient.

That's all for this week.

All the best,
Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS

http://www.greeley.com/consulting.cfm