Tip of the week: Put H&P requirement language in your medical staff bylaws

Standard MS.01.01.01 (formerly MS.1.20) element of performance 20 now requires that medical staffs include requirements for completing and documenting history and physical examinations (H&P) in the medical staff bylaws. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation 482.22(c) (5) have always required that the medical staff bylaws contain this language. However, medical staffs have traditionally placed H&P requirement language in their rules and regulations.

To be compliant, the easiest thing to do is to copy your present H&P requirement language from the rules and regulations into the section of your medical staff bylaws that outlines credentialing and privileging policies and procedures because conducting H&Ps is considered a privilege.

Joseph Cooper, MD
Consultant
The Greeley Company