File review is another area where the CVO regularly collaborates with medical staff services personnel…This team reviews verified documents against applications to clarify any discrepancies to identify red flags to be carefully scrutinized by medical staff leaders when making privileging decisions. There are occasions when information from sources is unfavorable to the extent that legal counsel becomes involved, as well as medical staff services leaders.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently revoked the tax-exempt status of a general acute care hospital. Although most of the hospital’s identifiers were redacted from the IRS’s adverse determination letter, it remains evident that the hospital entered into a lease agreement with a for-profit entity in a manner that violated its exempt status.

The medical staff office’s daily operations touch many other areas of the organization to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. Here's a visual representation of the medical staff office's place in the system.

Medical staff are traditionally re-appointed every two to three years, a process which includes at least the verification of licensing, DEA status, disciplinary actions, malpractice history, and some level of peer review. Yet, the defense of a two to three year re-credentialing gap is very hard to justify in today’s 24/7 news and digital records world. This article details the risks associated with reappointment verification and how to achieve continuous credentialing.

What if the employment agreement doesn't have co-terminus language about termination/privileges? How does the medical staff services department (MSSD) terminate the physician's privileges? If there is no co-terminus language, the formerly employed physician will retain medical staff membership and/or all granted privileges at your organization. If your organization is all right with this arrangement, then there is no problem. They remain at your organization but are no longer a health system-employed physician.

Published 12/11/17

Upset by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) requirements for Maintenance of Certification, Paul Teirstein, MD, chief of cardiology for Scripps Clinic in San Diego, decided to find a solution for his frustration. In 2015, Teirstein founded the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons.

Published 12/13/17

Recent CMS revisions to the State Operations Manual for Hospitals are zeroing in on the agency’s definition of a “hospital.” According to one expert, this new survey guidance may be an attempt to define the parameters of a microhospital.

Credentialing Resource Center will hold a focus group on Friday, Dec. 15, from 1-2 ET. We are looking for MSPs, physician leaders, and quality professionals to share their feedback on 2018 product development, including books, webinars, and e-learning courses. If you would like to join the focus group, please email editor Karen Kondilis at kkondilis@hcpro.com.

The 2018 CRC Symposium delivers two days of engaging education and training to MSPs, medical staff leaders, and quality directors in credentialing environments spanning the care continuum. Top industry experts impart fresh insight and actionable strategies for developing and sustaining effective credentialing, privileging, competence assessment, and medical staff governance processes amid constant changes to healthcare service delivery and reimbursement.

Have you seen this year's agenda? New sessions include:

Start 2018 with a full staff by filling your open job positions now. HCPro's Career Center connects companies with open positions and high quality candidates looking for jobs.

Visit jobs.hcpro.com and use code HCPROYES to receive 15% off finding your next employee. Valid thru January 15, 2018.

HCPro is looking for physicians who currently practice or have practiced in any long-term care setting to share their experiences with our editorial team. Your feedback will help us develop products, support, and guidance for you and your colleagues.

If you are interested in receiving more information, please contact editor Brianna Shipley at bshipley@hcpro.com or call 781-639-1872 ext. 3180.