This week, CRC Daily covers credentialing. Medical science is advancing with startling speed, and with that evolution comes rapid change in both clinical technology and technique. Patients can benefit vastly from such advances, but only if the practitioner utilizing them is competent. In general, patient safety is at greater risk when a technology or procedure is new than once it is well established. If there is a bad outcome, plaintiff attorneys are often quick to make at least one of the following claims.

The use of temporary privileges is necessary but should be at best limited. Some organizations, however, continue to fall into the habit of overusing this option. If your organization consistently relies on temporary privileges as a means of privileging, the question that must be asked is—why?

Let us know how your organization refers to the process of enrolling providers with government and commercial health plans.