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Tip of the week: NAMSS president-elect celebrates National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, November 1, 2007

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In 1992, President George Bush issued a proclamation designating the first week of November as National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week to acknowledge and thank these professionals for their important role in our nation's healthcare system.

Many national affiliated medical societies acknowledge the importance and value of MSPs to the healthcare industry and to each healthcare organization, and physicians and administrators recognize the contributions and dedication of MSPs in preserving quality patient care.   

A few simple steps toward having a successful NAMSS week are:

• Establish a plan with goals that fit within the parameters of your particular facility and/or organization.
• Organize a group of energetic and motivated individuals within your specific area and contact your public relations staff to collect ideas for how to "kick-off" a celebration and/or recognition campaign.  

The following are some of the communication tools you'll need to see your plan through:

Internal communication: Determine the best way to promote and increase awareness of your role and the impact you have on patient safety. Consider the following activities:

• Create a display (posters, bulletin boards, etc.) to include photos of your medical staff service team. Include details of each team member's role and any special or interesting information about them.
• Open your office/department for a reception or open house providing refreshment and/or general information about your work.
• Prepare news articles for your marketing department to include in your facility newsletter.
• Prepare a presentation to your medical staff leadership and/or executive committee about the specific details of your work.
• Prepare a brief informational brochure or pamphlet describing what you offer to other departments at your facility and consider providing the information to patients (of course, you will need approval of your facility compliance officer and/or educational staff before providing this tool to patients). 

External Communication: Get the word out to your community! What you do affects everyone who seeks medical care. Some suggestions include:

• Arrange to give a presentation at a local group meeting.
• Offer to speak to a local high school or college about a potential career path in medical staff services.
• Prepare a press release for the local newspaper.

The NAMSS Web site (www.namss.org) has posters available for circulation and display.

My main message for MSPs who want to carryout a successful National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week is to communicate, communicate, communicate! Make sure you:

• Tell people what it is you do. 
• Make yourself known to your administrative team, to your medical staff leadership, and to your facility's board of directors. 
• Educate your medical staff and facility leadership the importance and value of credentialing and supporting the organized medical staff.

NAMSS continuously strives to "Advance the Delivery of Healthcare," and one fun way we all can do this is by celebrating National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week.

Enjoy your week!
Janet O'Hair, CPMSM, CPCS
NAMSS president-elect

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