Introduction

May Grand Rounds – Fast Forward to the Future: Coordinating, Combining, and Unifying Medical Staff Functions

May 2, 2023 - 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (ET)

For decades, hospitals and Medical Staffs within health care systems have been looking for ways to take advantage of their “system hood” to increase efficiencies and spread the wealth of wisdom and strong leadership for the benefit of all.  What began as sharing of verification duties between multiple hospitals eventually turned into systemwide CVOs.  Some system Medical Staffs began operating from a unified Credentials Policy.  And then began using identical Medical Staff Bylaws.  Combined credentialing committees and peer review committees followed.  And then, following suit, in 2014, the Joint Commission and CMS formally blessed the process of full Medical Staff unification.  In November 2022, CMS decided (finally!) to allow Critical Access Hospitals to join in unification as well.  My, how the spectrum has developed!

Join us for the May installment of Grand Rounds where we will discuss the pros and cons of coordinated, combined, and unified Medical Staff functions and the planning and policy development that needs to take place if Medical Staffs move forward with these initiatives.  There is more to unification than inserting the required CMS opt-in and opt-out language into the Medical Staff Bylaws!

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this audio conference, participants should be able to:

  1. Identify pros and cons to the use of systemwide Medical Staff Bylaw and policy templates, the combination of Medical Staff committees, the use of a CVO for verification duties, and full-scale unification
  2. Maximize information sharing and coordination within the system, to gain greater efficiencies in credentialing and peer review
  3. If moving forward with unification efforts, create a checklist of policy decisions (and revisions) that need to be made as the Medical Staff transitions from a solo Medical Staff to a unified one

Education Credit

Instructions on how to obtain your Continuing Education certificate for audio conferences will be e-mailed to the contact person for your organization at the conclusion of this audio conference.

Category 1 CME

Joint Provider Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and HortySpringer Seminars.  The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.  The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

NAMSS Continuing Education Credit

This course has been approved for National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) continuing education credit and NAMSS hereby awards 1.0 NAMSS continuing education credits for participation in this activity.  Accreditation of this educational content in no way implies endorsement or sponsorship by NAMSS.

About Grand Rounds

Designed for even the busiest hospital and medical staff leaders, registration for the year-long series is a quick and inexpensive way for Medical Staff Officers, members of the Medical Executive Committee, Department Chairs, Chairs of the Credentials and Peer Review Committees, and the Chairs of other key Medical Staff committees to have access to the most up-to-date health care information at their fingertips while obtaining valuable CME credits as well.

  • The audio conference series consists of twelve audio conferences spread over the course of the year (one AC/month)
  • Each audio conference is offered the first Tuesday of each month from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
  • Registration includes an MP3 containing the audio conference at no additional charge following each conference.
  • CME credit issued for live conference participation only.

HortySpringer Audio Conference Disclaimer

The information presented during an audio conference and any supplementary materials provided to registrants are intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing contained therein is to be considered as the rendering of legal advice for specific cases or circumstances.

No one should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented during an audio conference without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer practicing as permitted by applicable laws, regulations or rules of professional conduct. No attorney-client relationship is formed by registration for an audio conference or the use of the supplementary materials.

Registration

Audio Conferences/Grand Rounds Registration: $250 and includes:

      • 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™*
      • 1.0 NAMSS continuing education credit*
      • One MP3 recording to share with your staff throughout the year.
      • Three additional phones lines. You may purchase additional lines for $50/line, per audio conference.

Can’t make the live audio conference? No problem! We offer single MP3 recordings for $250/each (Separate MP3 purchase does not qualify for CME credits. CMEs will only be given for live participation the day of the AC).

Want the entire 2023 Grand Rounds AC Series?
If you would like to purchase the entire 2023 Grand Rounds audio conference series, we’re happy to offer you a special rate of $1,850 to include all 12 episodes (one per month). Please contact our office for more information.

*Not all audio conferences will be approved for continuing medical education credits.

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