According to the 2019 Medscape Malpractice Report, 59% of surveyed physicians have been sued at some point in their careers. Respondents included more than 4,300 physicians across 29 specialties. Nearly 70% of respondents were men.

It is essential that current physician leaders, administrative and board officers, and the institution as a whole illustrate the importance of physician leadership to the organization, medical staff, and community. The roles and responsibilities that physician leaders have at hospitals are important and should be treated as such.

A United States court for the middle district of Pennsylvania (the “Court”) reaffirmed basic tenets of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA) and the Pennsylvania Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act (the “MCARE Act”), finding that certain patient safety work product is privileged and therefore undiscoverable. The Court also held that these two acts prevent a person from being forced to testify regarding his or her knowledge of protected patient safety work product.

As healthcare organizations continue to search for ways to reduce costs while maintaining quality, the credentialing and enrollment departments are coming to the forefront as ideal candidates for integration. Although both perform unique and distinct functions, there is significant overlap with the practitioner data and skill sets required to perform these functions.