How healthcare leaders can prevent doc suspension

by Jonathan H. Burroughs This summer I shall have the sad task of testifying at a civil litigation and a judicial hearing for two physicians who have been suspended from their respective medical staffs. In both cases, the suspensions and resultant procedural rights were avoidable because proactive communication and management did not effectively take place. Such events should be rare and most medical staffs can easily avoid them by focusing on preventive actions and addressing potential performance issues early in a supportive and assertive manner. What steps can healthcare organizations take to avoid suspending a physician and when should they occur? Credentialing and privileging In a volume-based reimbursement world, every physician was potential revenue and few would consider not recommending membership or privileges except for gross incompetence. Today, in a pay-for-value environment, a physician will be an asset if s/he is committed to practicing evidence-based medicine and providing a high level of service. Those who cannot or will not commit to such basic tenets of good medical practice will place themselves, their patients, their medical staff and their organization at risk. Furthermore, those who cannot commit to high standards of professional conduct will increase risk for their patients, their staff, and their organization by making it far more likely that they will be sued in the event of an adverse outcome. The American Health Lawyers Association ha...
Source: hospital impact - Category: Health Managers Authors: Source Type: blogs