Ask the expert: Our health system is comprised of four hospitals. Can we share information on practitioners that have privileges at multiple hospitals?

Yes. But first you should evaluate what will need to be done to share information and the benefits of this new process. Christina W. Giles, CPMSM, MS, president of Medical Staff Solutions in Nashua, N.H. recommends that facilities compile a list of questions to consider when discussing system-wide document sharing, including the following:

• What are the current processes in each facility?
• Which primary sources are used and for what information?
• How often do facilities access databases for credentialing information?
• What are the costs associated with those databases?
• How many crossover practitioners are present in the system?
• Will there be buy-in among staff members for a common application and privileging format?

This week’s question and answer are from Medical Staff Briefing, HCPro, Inc.’s monthly medical staff newsletter.