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Credentialing Resource Center Connection

National credentialing and privileging expert Sally J. Pelletier, CPCS, CPMSM, delivers useful and timely information in her weekly " Credentialing Resource Center Connection" column.

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Credentialing Resource Center Connection

Issue 1, December 30, 2008

• New Year, New Standards!

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Ask the expert: What is the definition of an LIP in a managed care organization?

  Outside of hospitals (that is, in private offices and facilities other than hospitals), there is...

• Tip of the week: Get ready for your Joint Commission survey with a new guide

  The Joint Commission posted a 2009 Survey Activity Guide on its Web site to help facilities prepare...

• New data on growing physician shortage trend

  Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are the latest states to be profiled in reports...

• Introducing Free Form Friday!

  If one of your office’s new year’s resolutions was to update your forms library, we can...

Issue 48, December 24, 2008

• Have a great holiday season!

  Dear readers,   This is the last issue of the year—can you believe it? Next...

• Paperless health licenses in Rhode Island

  The Rhode Island Department of Public Health will no longer issue new or renewed wallet licenses...

• Tip of the week: Respond to patient demand when initiating new services

  Patients increasingly request that health entities provide additional services such as midwifery...

• Ask the expert: What is the CEO’s role in the credentialing process?

  As the official representative of the hospital, the CEO is actively involved in the credentialing...

Issue 47, December 18, 2008

• This Isn't Boston Legal

  Anne R. Buss, CPMSM, CPCS, is a medical staff consultant based in Fayetteville, AR. Dear...

• Medical boards add more data to online practitioner profiles

  Transparency continues to be a trend for state medical boards creating online practitioner profiles...

• Ask the expert: Peer definitions, part II

  Last week, we posed the question who can be counted as a peer for the purposes of a peer review...

• Ask the expert: Peer definitions, part II

  Last week, we posed the question who can be counted as a peer when giving a clinical reference. The...

• Tip of the week: Consistently enforce requirements during reappointment

  An important element of building credibility is to consistently enforce requirements. You must have...

Issue 46, December 11, 2008

• HFAP's Teleradiology Credentialing Standards

  Annette Van Veen Gippe is the deputy director of the American Osteopathic Information Association...

• Ohio APRNs lobby for wider prescribing authority

  Thirty-one states allow advanced practice nurses (APRN) to prescribe Schedule II drugs, and Ohio...

• Tip of the week: Research your state’s felony definition

  When drafting medical staff bylaws, beware of terms that may cause confusion. For example, many...

• Ask the expert: Who is counted as a peer when giving clinical references?

  A peer is a practitioner of the applicant’s same educational level (e.g., physician, PA...

Issue 45, December 4, 2008

• Budget Planning

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• CMS updates CoPs

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Conditions of Participation...

• CMS updates CoPs

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Conditions of Participation...

• Tip of the week: Understand your organization's admitting privileges policy

  In many states, the laws addressing hospital licensing describe which providers can admit patients...

• Ask the expert: What’s the latest news about online consults?

  If your medical staff is considering adding virtual check-ups to its list of privileges, it’s...

Issue 44, November 20, 2008

• Evaluating the medical staff's continuing medical education opportunities

  Anne R. Buss, CPMSM, CPCS, is a medical staff consultant based in Fayetteville, AR. This is her...

• Proposed HHS regulation continues to draw protests

  In August, the Credentialing and Privileging Advisor wrote about a proposed regulation from the...

• Ask the expert: What is CMS's reimbursement policy for Bariatric surgery?

  When a practitioner makes a privileging request in order to use a new technology or procedure, the...

• Tip of the week: Know your state medical board’s criminal background check policy

  About half of state medical boards conduct criminal background checks on practitioners before...

Issue 43, November 13, 2008

• Change is in the air with DNV's deeming status official

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Editor's pick: Get ready for the 2009 CVDR

  The 2009 Credentials Verification Desk Reference (CVDR) is now available for pre-orders and will be...

• Transplant surgeon on trial for speeding patient's death

  The trial of a transplant surgeon accused of speeding up his patient’s death in order to...

• Tip of the week: An easy equation for measuring competency

  Developing competency measurements—either for a new practitioner or during...

• Ask the expert: What categories of accreditation does The Joint Commission grant?

  An organization’s survey may end in one of the following ways:

Issue 42, November 6, 2008

• Tips for preparing for a survey

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• OIG addresses pay for performance

  Hospitals will not necessarily face fraud or kickback sanctions for sharing a private...

• Tip of the week: Use a software system with core privileging forms built in to streamline work

  Don’t divide your time between developing privileging forms from scratch and searching for a...

• Ask the expert: Readers share what National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week means to them

  We invite you to share your reflections on the week on the Credentialing Resource Center blog...

Issue 41, October 30, 2008

• Creating an effective job description

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• CMS conditionally approves The Joint Commission

  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conditionally approved The Joint...

• Ask the expert: What does National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week mean to you?

  November is right around the corner and with it comes National Medical Staff Services Awareness...

• Tip of the week: Create a reappointment orientation

  Reappointment is a great time to require that practitioners refamiliarize themselves with...

Issue 40, October 23, 2008

• Letter from the editor: Share your NAMSS conference memories

  Dear readers, Last week I was lucky enough to attend the annual National Association Medical Staff...

• Patients not accessing physician quality data

  When MSPs help collect quality data on practitioners via methods such as FPPE and OPPE, accrediting...

• Try CPDR Online free!

  The Credentialing and Privileging Desktop Reference Online is a searchable directory of primary...

• Tip of the week: Confidential phone hotlines help identify impaired practitioners

  Impairment can be difficult to identify, and at times, members of the medical staff may be less...

• Ask the expert: Will The Joint Commission take a closer look at credentials files in the future?

  I asked Paul M. Schyve, MD., Senior Vice President for Joint Commission a question at the NAMSS...

Issue 39, October 16, 2008

• MSP competency: The key to success

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Joint Commission offers customized news updates

  How do you like to learn about the updates on The Joint Commission’s Web site? The following...

• Editor's pick: Try CPDR Online free!

  The Credentialing and Privileging Desktop Reference Online is a searchable directory of primary...

• Ask the expert: How do the NIAHO standards and The Joint Commission standards differ?

  The National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) standards are closely...

• Tip of the week: Obtain, verify, and document licensure history

  The initial application for physician and allied health applicants should request information about...

Issue 38, October 9, 2008

• Focused Professional Practice Evaluations - Update

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Get ready for NAMSS: Attend the Core Privilege Plus luncheon

  Are you planning to attend the NAMSS conference on October 13-15 and need to purchase a new or...

• Editor's Pick: Use CertiFACTS On-Line to verify board certification data

  CertiFACTS On-Line is your direct link to the most current board certification data for all 24 ABMS...

• MS.4.00 makes Joint Commission's list of least complied with standards

  Only one medical staff standard made it onto The Joint Commission’s Standards and NPSGs with...

• Tip of the week: Send reference requests with a checklist

  One way to ensure that a practitioner providing a peer review includes relevant information is to...

• Ask the expert: What is the NCQA requirement for checking medical staff membership?

  The NCQA requires applications to include a dated attestation statement from the applicant...

Issue 37, October 2, 2008

• How to process research coordinators

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Editor’s Pick: Use CertiFACTS On-Line to verify board certification data

  CertiFACTS On-Line is your direct link to the most current board certification data for all 24 ABMS...

• National Physician Assistants week, October 6-12

  Monday kicks off National Physician Assistants (PA) week across the country. This year’s...

• Ask the expert: What is the difference between holding privileges and holding medical staff membership?

  Clinical privileging allows the medical staff and the hospital’s governing board to outline...

• Tip of the week: Privileging for contracted providers

  Some practitioners who exercise privileges at a hospital do so under contractual arrangements. In...

Issue 36, September 25, 2008

• Oncologist shortage predicted

  Will there be fewer oncologists to credential in the future? Possibly, according to a recent report...

• Enter the CRC Blog name contest

  Informational, insightful, and inspirational—the Credentialing Resource Center (CRC) Blog...

• Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations - Update

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Editor’s Pick: Complimentary 30-minute consultations at NAMSS conference

  Planning to attend the NAMSS conference? Sign up for complimentary 30-minute consultations with...

• Ask the expert: Is there a software system with core privileging forms built in?

  Yes, it’s called Core Privileging Plus. Are you planning to attend the NAMSS conference on...

• Tip of the week: Visit HHS's Web site for disaster and emergency information

  Whether your organization was effected by the recent hurricanes or your medical staff is planning...

Issue 35, September 11, 2008

• Staying Organized!

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Ask the expert: Is it necessary to query the NPDB for AHPs?

  There is no National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) requirement to query or report on other...

• Tip of the week: Educate the medical staff about 2009 Joint Commission updates

  Throughout the summer The Joint Commission has been updating its Web site with the 2009 National...

• Enter the CRC Blog name contest

  Informational, insightful, and inspirational – the Credentialing Resource Center (CRC) Blog...

• CMS's Hospital Compare Web site adds more data

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) enhanced its Hospital Compare Web site to...

• The importance of good leadership and succession planning

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Editor's Pick: Free Core Privileging Plus demo at NAMSS conference

  Planning to attend the NAMSS conference on October 13-15 and need to purchase a new or improved...

• Tip of the week: Banish credentialing delays

  If your medical staff office has fallen prey to a backlog, the following tips can help you dig your...

• Ask the expert: Who is responsible for reporting and evaluating incidents involving an LIP?

  As specified in its bylaws (according to Joint Commission standard MS.4.45 and MS.4.80), the...

Issue 34, September 4, 2008

• On the lookout for red flags

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Enter the CRC Blog name contest

  Informational, insightful, and inspirational – the Credentialing Resource Center (CRC) Blog...

• Study highlights Maryland's AHP shortage

  Over 15% of Maryland’s AHP positions remained unfilled in 2007, according to an annual study...

• Ask the expert: Can a medical staff application include information about reimbursing attorneys fees after an unsuccessful credentialing dispute?

  Yes. Michael Cassidy, Esq., a healthcare lawyer at Arensberg Attorneys in Pittsburgh wrote about...

• Tip of the week: Get ready for the annual NAMSS conference

  As the season turns from summer to fall, MSPs across the country are starting to think about the...

Issue 33, August 28, 2008

• The Joint Commission's sentinel event alert on disruptive behavior

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Ask the expert: What are The Joint Commission's requirements for OPPE?

  The Joint Commission recently addressed its intent for the requirements for the ongoing...

• Tip of the week: FPPE policies should address ethical concerns

  Your organization’s FPPE policy should address the following ethical concerns to ensure...

• Proposed HHS regulation allows practitioners to opt out of privileges due to moral objections

  Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new regulation...

Issue 32, August 21, 2008

• The human element

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Credentialing Resource Center spotlight: Policy and procedures library

  The Credentialing Resource Center (CRC) spotlight is a new series of articles that will show you...

• Online physician consults growing, some insurers reimburse for them

  Do your privileges allow practitioners to provide patient consults via the internet? More...

• Ask the expert: Where can I learn more about the new Joint Commission scoring categories?

  Last week, The Joint Commission revised its online 2009 prepublication standards to include...

• Tip of the week: Consider the following three areas when developing privileging criteria

  Medical staffs must take into account the following three areas when developing criteria for...

Issue 31, August 14, 2008

• The Joint Commission announces a simplified scoring process

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Spine surgery most common wrong-site surgery in Massachusetts

  Although healthcare organizations continue to add safeguards to the credentialing and privileging...

• Editor’s Pick: Use CertiFACTS On-Line to verify board certification data

  CertiFACTS On-Line is your direct link to the most current board certification data of all 24...

• Tip of the week: Overcome verification frustration with FREE HCPro WebEx

  Are you spending too much time searching for the best contact information to conduct verifications...

• Ask the expert: Which proctoring methods work best for FPPE?

  This depends on the type of privileges the focused professional practice evaluation (FPPE) is...

Issue 30, August 7, 2008

• The best professional advice I've been given

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Rate of uninsured South Florida doctors doubles since 2003

  Since 2003, the Florida legislature has continuously lowered the malpractice premiums for doctors...

• Credentialing Resource Center spotlight: Briefings on Credentialing Special Reports

  The Credentialing Resource Center (CRC) spotlight is a new series of articles that will show you...

• Ask the expert: Does The Joint Commission visit hospital-owned clinics during the survey process?

  “Site visit” terminology is not used, nor is the concept addressed, in The Joint...

• Tip of the week: Orientation for new medical executive committee members

  Hospitals sometimes ask MSPs to help provide orientation for new medical executive committee (MEC...

Issue 29, July 31, 2008

• Poliner decisions reversed

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Credentialing Resource Center spotlight: Medical Staff Talk archives

  The Credentialing Resource Center (CRC) spotlight is a new series of articles that will show you...

• Patient sues impaired doctor, hospital following surgical complications

  A patient suing his plastic surgeon for surgical complications included the hospital and other...

• Tip of the week: Don't credential more types of providers than required by accrediting agencies

  Don’t credentialing and/or privilege AHPs unless it is required (either by The Joint...

• Ask the expert: Does the HCQIA require hospitals to query fellows in the NPDB?

  It depends on the functions the fellow is performing. Healthcare entities are not required to query...

Issue 28, July 23, 2008

• Conflicts among governing documents

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• New Medicare law changes Joint Commission deeming authority status

  Congress last week overrode a presidential veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and...

• Tip of the week: Taking action against disruptive practitioners

  It is important to have a plan of action to effectively treat disruptive practitioners. The first...

Issue 27, July 17, 2008

• Final clinical evaluations

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center of...

• Doctor claims discrimination from credentials committee, judge agrees

  A federal court judge found that a credentials committee’s order instructing a female...

• Tip of the week: Familiarize yourself with The Joint Commission's Standards Improvement Initiative

  The Joint Commission’s Standard Improvement Initiative, which will take effect January 1...

• Ask the expert: What language can I include on an application to ensure applicants know the burden of competency is on them?

  Not only is the applicant responsible for ensuring that all information provided on the application...

• Ask the expert: Reader responses about OPPE frequency

  Earlier this month we asked readers how often their medical staff conducts ongoing professional...

Issue 26, July 10, 2008

• Tip of the week: Learn why practitioners opt out of core privileges

  A practitioner would want to opt out of privileges that are included in the core set for two common...

• Ask the expert: Are there reporting obligations with regard to proctoring?

  The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) requires hospitals to report clinical privilege...

• Oncoplastic surgeons practice new technique, lack specific certification

  Oncoplastic surgery is a new option for breast cancer surgery patients. It eliminates the need for...

• Reasons to deny privileges

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

Issue 25, July 3, 2008

• Communication with practitioners

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center...

• Ask the expert: How often should your medical staff conduct OPPE?

  The Joint Commission’s standards for ongoing professional practice evaluation (OPPE) require...

• Tip of the week: Give those who can't attend meetings a chance to provide input

  MSPs are commonly asked to attend or take notes in medical staff meetings. If you are asked to help...

• The Joint Commission releases 2009 standards

  On July 1, The Joint Commission released its 2009 standards; you can view them at...

• CRC Blog Spotlight: CAQH application

  Check out our CRC Blog today by logging on to www.online-crc.com/blog/. It’s your daily...

• U.S. Passport Card provides new way to verify identity

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services created a new form of identification for use in the...

Issue 24, June 26, 2008

• Moonlighting

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Joint Commission releases 2009 National Patient Safety Goals

  The Joint Commission announced its 2009 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) and elements of...

• Editor's Pick: New content on CRC Online!

  If you haven’t been to our Credentialing Resource Center (www.online-crc.com) lately, check...

• Ask the expert: Reader's responses to locum tenens series

  Kelli L. Fussell, CPMSM, CPCS, manager of medical staff services at Salem Hospital in Salem, OR...

• Tip of the week: How to inquire about an applicant's physical ability to perform requested privileges

  The following is an acceptable question that applicants may be required to answer: “Do you...

Issue 23, June 20, 2008

• The importance of "The Five P's"

  Dear credentialing colleague: Throughout my career and through my affiliation with The Greeley...

• The importance of "The Five P's"

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center in...

• Editor's pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

• ICU physicians with special training offer no benefit to patients, study says

  General trends in healthcare and privileging have moved toward specialty-trained practitioners...

• Ask the expert: Do MSPs work directly with the locum tenens during the credentialing process, or do they work with the locum tenens staffing agency?

  Ask the expert: Do MSPs work directly with the locum tenens during the credentialing process, or do...

Issue 22, June 12, 2008

• Celebrating successes and striving to maintain them

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Hospital building planners embrace evidence-based design, increase staff performance

  Is your office ready for a face lift? Hospitals are embracing the evidence-based design trend that...

• Ask the expert: Do locum tenens agencies offer credentialing services for their practitioners?

  It depends on the locum tenens staffing agency, but some offer services similar to a credentialing...

• Tip of the week: Carefully handle patient complaints

  The MSP will sometimes receive patient complaints regarding physicians about treatment that may or...

Issue 21, June 5, 2008

• Mentoring program for MSPs

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center in...

• Ask the Expert: As an MSP, will I be responsible for completing the locum tenens evaluations for the locum tenens agency?

  It depends on the individual hospital or medical practice, says Beverly Leonard, CPCS, vice...

• Tip of the week: Six steps to developing an economic credentialing policy

  Economic credentialing policies are not off-the-shelf products. Hospitals and their medical staffs...

• Editor's Pick: New blog debuts on CRC

  MSPs now have a new place to learn and discuss issues critical to today’s medical staff...

• Implementation of Joint Commission revised standard MS.1.20 suspended

  The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) Board of Commissioners followed the recommendation of a task...

Issue 20, May 29, 2008

• How to primary source verify education for licensed independent practitioners

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Surgical procedures resume at hospital with troubled credentialing history

  The Marion (IL) Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center resumed some of the surgical procedures the...

• Tip of the week: Consider liability and compensation for FPPE proctors

  It is important for a medical staff to consider issues surrounding a focused professional practice...

• Ask the expert: Can a locum tenens agency help alleviate ED call coverage problems?

  Yes, some locum tenens agencies work with a variety of specialists and are able to partner with...

Issue 19, May 22, 2008

• Sharing information

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center in...

• CMS advertises Hospital Compare Web site in 58 major newspapers

  On Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) placed ads in 58 major daily...

• Editor’s pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

• Tip of the week: Send only complete applications to department chairs or the credentials committee for review

  Administrative personnel sometimes feel compelled to send an application to department chairs or to...

• Ask the Expert: As an MSP, will I be the point person if my hospital contracts with a locum tenens agency?

  It depends on the individual hospital or medical practice says Beverly Leonard, CPCS, vice...

Issue 18, May 15, 2008

• MS.4.00: Determination of Resource Availability

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Editor’s pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

• CDC study gives snapshot of healthcare today

  Office-based physicians had 26% less hospital visits from 2005-2006, compared with visits in 2001...

• Tip of the week: Clarify fair hearing processes in bylaw

  The offer of a fair hearing following medical staff recommendation of corrective action is an...

• Ask the expert: What resources can I use when privileging for procedures involving new technology?

  If your hospital decides to allow a new procedure, put the burden on the practitioner requesting...

Issue 17, May 8, 2008

• Defining "staff" in your organization

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center in...

• Fewer physicians disciplined in 2007, continuing recent trend

  Since 2004, total disciplinary actions for physicians have dropped 15%, according to an April...

• Tip of the week: Medical staff buy-in is key to competency reporting improvements

  Physician performance feedback is not merely an issue of establishing procedures or working out the...

• Ask the expert: Do I need to privilege hospice care providers?

  When privileging questions arise, you should first consult your organization’s policy to see...

• Editor’s pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

Issue 16, May 1, 2008

• Developing intended practice plans for low- and no-volume providers

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Community hospitals worry about expansion of urban medical centers

  Across the nation, large, urban, academic medical centers are expanding their facilities into the...

• Ask the expert: What is the CEO's role in the credentialing process?

  The chief executive officer (CEO) is an important part of the process. He or she attends medical...

• Tip of the week: Differentiating clinical privileges and medical staff membership

  The credentialing industry makes a distinction between clinical privileges and medical staff...

Issue 15, April 24, 2008

• Should you credential and privilege organ procurement teams?

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center in...

• Editor’s pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

• Hospital-based palliative care programs on the rise

  Within the last eight years, 667 hospitals have added palliative care programs, according to an...

• Tip of the week: A 10-step guide to drafting FPPE policies and procedures (part II of II)

  The following steps are intended to serve as a starting point for developing a focused professional...

• Ask the expert: Can different types of practitioners use different criteria for the same privilege?

  A challenge that commonly arises in addressing “crossover” privileges occurs when one...

Issue 14, April 17, 2008

• The challenge of emergency department call coverage

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Editor's pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

• Report highlights need for more geriatric care practitioners

  The healthcare field will be in crisis mode by 2030, the year all baby boomers will be at least 65...

• Tip of the week: A 10-step guide to drafting FPPE policies and procedures (part I of II)

  The following steps are intended to serve as a starting point for developing a focused professional...

• Ask the expert: What should I do with the results of a criminal background check?

  This is a common question. Some healthcare facilities prohibit healthcare professionals from...

Issue 13, April 3, 2008

• Putting privileging information in the right hands

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• HHS launches Hospital Compare Web site

  The Department of Health and Human Services launched its Hospital Compare Web site last week, which...

• Tip of the week: Tips from the Credentialing 101 series, part VI

  From September 2007 through the April 2008 issues, the Briefings on Credentialing newsletter...

• Ask the expert: What are credentialing interrogatories?

  Credentialing interrogatories is a term that describes the questions included on a medical staff...

• Joint Commission clarification regarding core privileges

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children’s Medical Center in...

• National physician report card planned

  Finding physician reviews on the Web is not a problem—patient advocacy groups, insurance...

• Ask the expert: What can I do to increase awareness surrounding understaffing and the medical staff office?

  Remain organized and professional in your approach as you substantiate the need for additional...

• Tip of the week: Temporary privileges correction

  Last week’s tip stated that Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) standard HR 2.01.5 addresses...

Issue 12, March 27, 2008

• Ensuring data integrity is essential

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children's Medical Center in...

• Tip of the week: Tips from the Credentialing 101 series, part VI

  From September 2007 through the April 2008 issues, the Briefings on Credentialing newsletter...

• Ask the expert: Which individuals can formally recommend a bylaws amendment?

  Most medical staffs allow any member to suggest or submit a proposed bylaw amendment. If the bylaws...

• California study highlights regional AHP shortage

  A resent study focused on community colleges in California found an 87% gap between the number of...

• Editor’s pick: What will you learn in Las Vegas this year?

  Attend the 11th Annual Credentialing Resource Center Symposium and learn practical and innovative...

Issue 11, March 13, 2008

• Risk assessments is part of the patient safety formula

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children's Medical Center in...

• Tip of the week: Tips from the Credentialing 101 series, part IV

  From September 2007 through the April 2008 issues, the Briefings on Credentialing newsletter...

• The Joint Commission publishes list of least complied with standards

  The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) published a list of standards and requirements that were most...

• Ask the expert: Does NQCA accept signature stamps for the attestation of an application?

  No. While the NCQA requires that managed care organizations' applications and reapplications have...

• Editor's pick: What will you learn in Las Vegas this year?

  Attend the 11th Annual Credentialing Resource Center Symposium and learn practical and innovative...

• HCPro, Inc. launches new logo and tagline as part of its new corporate branding initiative

  HCPro, Inc. is launching a new corporate branding campaign designed to reflect the company's focus...

• Does the OIG have a place in your medical staff bylaws?

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• AMA joins fight in economic credentialing case

  The American Medical Association (AMA) joined an ongoing economic credentialing case that...

• Tip of the week: Tips from the Credentialing 101 series, part V

  From September 2007 through the April 2008 issues, the Briefings on Credentialing newsletter...

• Ask the expert: What language should I include in a credentialing application or reapplication release form?

  As long as your organization includes the necessary elements, as well as any state- or...

Issue 10, March 6, 2008

• In the dark about exclusive contracts

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Insurance company weighs sedation policy change

  A proposed policy change by Aetna, Inc., that would stop covering the cost of using...

• Tip of the week: Tips from the Credentialing 101 series, part III

  From September 2007 through the April 2008 issues, the Briefings on Credentialing newsletter...

• Ask the expert: Can a Canadian dentist order a CT scan on a patient in our Washington state hospital?

  Q: We have a dentist from Canada that wants to order a CT scan on a patient. He is not credentialed...

• Editor's pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

Issue 9, February 28, 2008

• Meeting attendance and activity requirements for medical staff membership

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children's Medical Center in...

• CMS proposes reducing CT scan reimbursements, debate over procedure grows

  In January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed changing reimbursement...

• Ask the expert: What are the qualifications for meeting attendance? Part II

  Last week's "Ask the Expert" article about the Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) meeting attendance...

• Tip of the week: Tips from the Credentialing 101 series, part II

  From September 2007 through the April 2008 issues, the Briefings on Credentialing newsletter...

Issue 8, February 21, 2008

• Disclosing reference information

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Tip of the week: Tips from the Credentialing 101 series, part I

  From September 2007 through the April 2008 issues, the Briefings on Credentialing newsletter...

• Ask the Expert: What are The Joint Commission requirements for meeting attendance?

  Q: Is there a Joint Commission requirement that physicians attend a certain number of meetings per...

Issue 7, February 14, 2008

• Understanding HR.1.20

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children's Medical Center in...

• Congress still committed to healthcare IT improvements, despite budget cuts

  On Monday, President Bush proposed a 2009 budget that provides $168 million for healthcare IT and...

• Tip of the week: Inclusiveness rules when developing core privileging criteria

  When making the decision to move to a core privileging system, and during the process of developing...

• Ask the expert: What are the requirements for fast-track credentialing according to The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO)?

  According to The Joint Commission's medical staff standards, "clean applicants"-that is...

• Practitioners' 2008 Medicare opt out status finalized on February 15

  Organizations can now verify a practitioner's opt out status with confidence that it will not...

Issue 6, February 7, 2008

• Is core privileging accepted by CMS and The Joint Commission? Yes.

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Report links deaths at VA hospital to substandard care in several areas, including negligent credentialing

  The medical inspector of the Veterans Health Administration issued a report on January 28 citing...

• Editor's pick: Try a free, 30-day trial of CPDR

  Eliminate the hassles of finding the right offices for primary source verification. The...

• Tip of the week: Confirm a practitioner's health status before granting privileges

  In accordance with standard MS.4.80, Joint Commission-accredited organizations must evaluate and...

• Ask the expert: Who needs to approve the scope of work for privileged mid-wives?

  Q: Our family medicine program is looking to add the mid-wives hospital group to provide on-call...

Issue 5, January 31, 2008

• Online Privilege Portals

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children's Medical Center in...

• Editor's Pick: Use CertiFACTS On-Line to verify board certification data

  CertiFACTS On-Line is your direct link to the most current board certification data of all 24 ABMS...

• Rehab program for physicians set to close

  California will end its state-monitored rehabilitation program for physicians, the president of the...

• Ask the expert: What are the goals of OPPE?

  An ongoing professional practice evaluation (OPPE) has two goals: to obtain data for all six of the...

• Tip of the week: Prospective proctoring is most useful in the initial evaluation period

  Prospective proctoring is the process whereby the physician being observed describes to the proctor...

Issue 4, January 24, 2008

• Six Competencies for MSPs

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Study identifies physicians who stay in-state after training

  Hospitals nation wide are struggling with a physician shortage while patient demand is increasing...

• Tip of the Week: Use technical terms sparingly

  The key when communicating with members of the medical staff, either through face-to-face...

• Ask the expert: What are the benefits of conducting a criminal background check?

  More and more healthcare organizations have adopted policies that require criminal background...

Issue 3, January 17, 2008

• Affiliation certification vs. clinical evaluation: Save time by knowing the differences

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children's Medical Center in...

• Study finds hospitalist care is more cost effective than general internist care

  Patients cared for by hospitalists had a shorter stay of care and their cost of care was less than...

• Tip of the week: Maximize a standard work day

  It is common to find MSPs under significant time-management challenges. A few ways you can maximize...

• Ask the expert: What source should I use for verifying military records?

  Military training and/or work history can be verified by completing the "Request Pertaining to...

Issue 2, January 10, 2008

• Changing privileging criteria during a reappointment cycle

  Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• The Joint Commission announces MS.1.20 task force

  In its continued effort to address concerns hospitals have about MS.1.20, The Joint Commission...

• Tip of the week: Use competency assessment data to improve AHP performance

  Experience has taught physicians that data can be used against them or to accuse them of being bad...

• Ask the expert: How can I verify information from a closed facility?

  If a facility has closed and you cannot obtain information via a primary source, you may use a...

Issue 1, January 2, 2008

• Using external peer review

  Anne Roberts, CPMSM, CPCS, is the director of medical affairs at Children's Medical Center in...

• Specialists best at reading diagnostic mammograms, study says

  Although healthcare organizations may grant a variety of practitioners privileges to read...

• Tip of the week: Create a new year's resolution for your office

  The start of a new year is an ideal time for the medical staff office (MSO) to chart a course for...

• Ask the expert: Should your bylaws contain corrective action?

  Bylaws should always contain language which addresses corrective actions, such as the following:

Issue 20, June 19, 2008

• Tip of the week: Privileging for outpatient services for non-medical staff members

  Hospitals may perform outpatient services—such as lab work, filling prescriptions, or...