“There is a growing trend of the use of contract physicians — especially anesthesiologists and emergency medicine physicians,” says Mr. Cappiello. “Make sure that new physicians who come to practice at the facility are adequately credentialed and privileged. Sometimes with the odd hours and emergency shift work, these physicians may slip under the radar and not be updated with their credentials and privileges.”
In addition, make sure you stay aware of the performance of aging physicians, and be prepared to discuss with them when might be the right time to “hang up the shingle.”
“You need to collect data to ensure older physicians still have an adequate skill set for the privileges they are being granted,” says Mr. Cappiello. “That can be a very politically and emotionally sensitive issue to discuss with physicians who have been engaged in your medical center and great supporters for many years. Medical centers have to keep a keen eye on this because with age frequently comes the erosion of skills.”
More Articles on Patient Safety:
4 Strategies to Keep Infection Prevention Specialists Ahead of the Curve
Horizontal vs. Vertical Strategies to Reduce HAIs: Q&A With Kathryn Bowsher of PurThread Technologies
Kansas hospitals Reduce Bloodstream Infections by 38%
