Per most states’ hospital licensure requirements, medical staff membership and clinical privileges are granted through processes outlined by the hospital’s medical staff bylaws. Those bylaws define the requirements for staff membership and delineation of clinical privileges. They also provide for various forms of procedural due process, including fair hearings (and any related appeals process) for adverse recommendations and actions

In an attempt to boost resiliency and combat burnout among physicians, the Cleveland Clinic has implemented a peer coaching program. The Cleveland Clinic coaching network seeks to create great job satisfaction, engagement, and resilience among physicians. It links physicians and other faculty to peer coaches with whom they can discuss goals and concerns. Thus far, the program has been largely successful: 25% of coaches and 22% of coachees revealed that the program had a significant impact on their decisions to remain at the Cleveland Clinic.

Each individual practitioner who either applies for or maintains medical staff membership and/ or privileges has the burden of providing evidence that demonstrates that he or she meets the hospital’s established criteria for membership and/or privileges. This policy applies at the time of initial appointment, reappointment, application for clinical privileges, employment, or anytime during a practitioner’s affiliation with the institution.

Many locum tenens physicians are employed through a locum agency. Sally Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, advisory consultant and chief credentialing officer for The Greeley Company in Danvers, Massachusetts and Carol Cairns, CPMSM, CPCS, president of PRO-CON in Plainfield, Illinois, recommend that hospitals develop a preferred relationship with one that is well-established and reputable. 

CRC members can peruse all the online articles from the January 2019 issues of CRCJ and MSB—as well as full-color, newly redesigned PDFs—here:

• CRCJ
• MSB

To access the relevant full-issue PDF, select "DOWNLOAD FULL ISSUE" at the top of the page.

Find out what’s happening in the world of federal healthcare regulations by reviewing some recent headlines from across the country.

When a performance issue surfaces during a review process, maintaining strict confidentiality becomes crucial for both the practitioner and the facility. Due to the sensitive nature of poor findings—and the potential backlash from leaking information to the general membership—medical staff leaders must be intentional in their review-related work and must confer with legal counsel as appropriate.

Time is running out to receive a discounted hotel room rate for the 2019 Credentialing Resource Center Symposium. The discounted rate is now only $115! The 2019 Credentialing Resource Center Symposium will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Along with the convience of staying where the Symposium is being held, the hotel also offers shows, casinos, and plenty of dining options.