Creating a CVO technical team

Most central verification offices (CVO) have a team within their operational structure that takes care of technical applications and software functionality. With most CVOs moving toward greater automation, technical expertise is required. This team calls for a special skill set to ensure data integrity. A technical team often creates data standardization guidelines to be used by all CVO staff to ensure the accuracy and reliability of provider data. This team is typically responsible for generating reports courtesy of the database, which is generally referred to as the “source of truth” for provider data. Various departments within the organization request reports for planning, monitoring, and decision-making purposes.

A technical team might have additional duties that include monitoring expirables. This team tracks and obtains current documents that expire in-between reappointment terms, such as license, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration, malpractice insurance, board certification, and other certifications (e.g., BLS, ACLS). It also tracks and verifies good standing with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on an ongoing basis. It collects documentation from providers for compliance with policies related to flu vaccinations and tuberculosis screenings. This team may also be responsible for data  entry of “ordering” or “referring” providers and residents in health system training programs. In some health system facilities, these providers may not have hospital privileges, but may refer to hospital-based physicians or order tests for their patients at a hospital site (e.g., radiological exams). The CVO enters basic
information regarding these providers into the database under a certain category (e.g., “ordering” or “referring”). This enables the provider to receive follow-up reports on his or her patients and allows the health system to monitor the provider’s licensure status and OIG standing—a best practice. A technical team might also enter residents and fellows into the system so that they are able to utilize the electronic medical record.

A technical operations team works closely with the information technology (IT) department to facilitate upgrades in application software, testing of new software functionality, and building electronic applications. The team leader maintains an ongoing connection with the software vendor to troubleshoot any problems and stay on top of the latest features and enhancements.

Source: Centralized Credentialing: The Authoritative Guide to Efficient CVO Enactment and Operation