Credentialing Resource Center Journal

Every year, a few more negligent credentialing cases trickle through the news. The information is often superficial; it seems to focus on the U.S. state where the case was heard and whether the ruling upheld or denied a negligent credentialing claim. Often, the details of the case are lost on those not directly involved.

Balance requires ongoing adjustments. Don’t believe me? Try standing on one foot. Chances are you’re constantly shifting your weight and maybe even spreading your arms wide to keep from toppling over.

Nearly everybody’s got ‘em, and nobody wants ‘em. Privileging disputes seem to rear their ugly head when new procedures are developed, training patterns change, or reimbursement issues draw the medical staff’s attention. However, armed with the proper educational resources and diplomatic actions, medical staffs can quell the turmoil and return to a peaceful, united patient  care team.

Credentialing questions have surrounded telemedicine providers for years due to conflicting accreditation standards. Our organizations want them, our medical staffs need them, and our patients benefit from them. As for those of us in the medical staff services department, we cringe when we see their applications flying in our direction.