Tip of the week: Don't expedite the credentialing procedure for red-flag applicants

Once the medical staff services department receives a completed application from a physician and verifies all applicable information, the medical staff can choose to speed up the credentialing and privileging process if the application does not raise concern.  Applications that include any of the following should not qualify for expedited credentialing:

• An adverse NPDB report
• A malpractice history that is above a proscribed limit
• An investigation or sanction by a state medical board
• An involuntary termination of membership
• A limitation, reduction, denial, or loss of privileges at another institution

This week’s tip is adapted from The Medical Staff Leaders’ Practical Guide, Sixth Edition, by William K. Cors, MD, MMM, FACPE, CMSL; Mary J. Hoppa, MD, MBA, CMSL; and Richard A. Sheff, MD, CMSL.