Featuring a handful of inpatient beds and a narrow selection of community-tailored services, microhospitals are seeking to revolutionize care delivery in cities across the country. These pint-sized purveyors of targeted interventions have a two-fold appeal: they present healthcare institutions with a low-risk vehicle for expanding or redefining their market presence and tout faster, more accessible care for patients in hubs where sluggish traffic, overcrowding, and limited building options can put traditional hospital services out of comfortable reach.

The rise of retail clinics and urgent care centers has led to patients being less reliant on primary care physicians (PCP) for their health needs. According to an analysis by the Health Care Cost Institute, from 2012 to 2016 office visits to PCPs declined 18%.

Some medical staffs still struggle with if and how to credential visiting physicians. Today’s free resource is a medical staff application for visiting physicians to complete, which covers the basics of verification.

This week’s quick tip comes from an exchange adapted from HCPro’s webinar, “Privileging APPs: Issues and Solutions,” available now on demand. Carol Cairns, CPMSM, CPCS, advisory consultant with The Greeley Company and president of PRO-CON, an Illinois-based medical staff services consulting group, discusses training nurse practitioners (NP).

Published 4/11/18

Are you aware that there is credentialing going on in your hospital—and it’s not in the medical staff department? If you are, you’re in the minority. Just like many are not aware that a medical staff services department (MSSD) exists, few people give a thought to all those “others” roaming the hallways of your hospital. You might know them as healthcare industry reps, vendor reps, contract personnel, medical device reps, or commercial visitors. Whatever they may be called, they are entering your hospital, providing services in a patient care area, or assisting with equipment in the OR. MSPs are the gatekeepers of patient safety, but often they are not familiar with “the others” that enter their facility.

Published 4/9/18

When the time comes to choose a medical field, primary care is often overlooked for what medical students and residents consider more glamorous specialties. Unfortunately, this can cause its true value to go ignored. By 2025, there will be a predicted primary care shortage of 12,500 to 31,100 physicians, while the demand for said care is expected to increase within the next five years thanks to population growth, aging, and expanded health insurance.

Writing books/columns and speaking on webinars and at seminars are great ways to share your industry knowledge with peers. With the guidance of a solid publishing company, you’ll see your thoughts and tips become beacons to others in your field. We’re always looking for new authors, speakers, and reviewers. For more than 20 years, HCPro has been a leading provider of integrated healthcare information, education, training, and consulting products. Among HCPro’s need-to-know information products are a vast array of books, newsletters, websites, annual webinars, and annual live events.