OSE_1311_part1_Layout 1 11/6/13 8:57 AM Page 40
BUSINESS ADVISOR
answers YES to questions such as "Have you been involved in litigation
within the last ____ years?" If an applicant says he's had lawsuits, get an
explanation and make sure your medical director reviews and initials
the document to show he's seen it. Review everything you get. I've seen
a nurse's license in a credential file that had a handwritten expiration
date.
Verify all that you can verify. Always tell yourself, "Trust, but verify." You can do online verifications of DEA certificates, state
licenses, fluoroscopy certificates (in California), board certificates and
OIG status. Bookmark these websites on at least 1 computer to make
this process quicker. Many hospitals allow online verifications of physicians' hospital privileges. It only takes finding the website for the hospital and 1 call to the medical staff office to ask if there is a password
that allows verification of surgical privileges. You can then print out
the verification and it usually shows current status (for example, active
or courtesy), the specialty and the dates of association. These template
letters do not usually include the specific list of privileges (which is
what you want), but the letter serves as verification of the specialty.
3
Create an aging list on a spreadsheet. It should include everything
4 that has an expiration date, including board certificates if the
applicant is younger. Enter expiration dates of certificates and licenses in a calendar that will provide alerts. Tip: Input the date 1 month
early to give you time to hassle the doctor for that new license/certificate.
Orderly files
To save embarrassment during your next on-site inspection, review
your medical staff bylaws and credentialing policies. While informal
4 0
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | N O V E M B E R 2013
