The two most important medical staff committees in the credentialing process are the medical executive committee (MEC) and the credentials committee. The latter is not a required committee, and some smaller hospitals have the MEC carry out all credentialing tasks. Where a credentials committee exists, its function is usually to conduct the most intensive evaluation of initial and reappointment applications for hospital membership and/or privileges.

As a Credentialing Resource Center member, you know that each week we strive to deliver timely news, in-depth analysis, and actionable guidance in our two flagship publications, Medical Staff Briefing and Credentialing Resource Center Journal. Effective with our April issues, we are transitioning to online-only delivery of this valued content and discontinuing the monthly PDF round ups.

But don’t worry – we will continue to provide detailed coverage of topics critical to your role within the medical staff department. You will still have access to every article, in every issue, but now you can pick and choose exactly which of these articles you would like to view and print. Click here to learn more. 

In the Federal Register last summer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made a significant move that impacts Joint Commission Surveys. On July 17, 2020, in Volume 85, Number 138 under the section Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application From the Joint Commission for Continued Approval of its Hospital Accreditation Program, CMS indicated that The Joint Commission (TJC) has taken steps to “clarif[y] and provid[e] additional training to surveyors related to survey processes and procedures for review of credentialing and human resources and or personnel file reviews.”