Credentialing Resource Center Connection

No, that’s a myth because medical staff bylaws require varying degrees of involvement from members of the active category. For example, some medical staffs may require physicians to demonstrate an interest in assisting the hospital and medical staff in meeting its patient care mission. The physician may demonstrate his or her commitment to the patient care mission by providing evidence of his or her admissions, procedures, and referrals; serving on medical staff or board committees; providing services at the facility’s free clinic; or participating as an instructor in the facility’s continuing medical education program.

The Joint Commission standards do not outline requirements for verbal or phone verifications at ambulatory care centers. However, accepted practice is to document verbal or phone verification by including:

• The information verified
• The name and title of the person supplying the information
• The date of the verification
• The name or initials of the person obtaining the information