QUESTION:      Our hospital has adopted a mandatory flu vaccine policy for all employees and our MEC thinks it makes sense to also require vaccines for all private practice providers who are credentialed at the hospital. What is the best way to do this?

ANSWER:     This question seems to be coming up often – another sad reminder that the summer season is transitioning to flu season! Many medical staff leaders see the value in addressing this issue consistently across all providers, regardless of whether they are employed or not.

The simplest solution would be to modify your eligibility criteria in the Medical Staff Bylaws or Credentials Policy so that every applicant and medical staff member would be required to provide evidence of an annual influenza vaccination. Of course, any exemptions in the hospital’s policy for employees could also be recognized (i.e., allowing providers to wear a mask whenever they are in the hospital if, for example, a medical condition would prohibit them from obtaining a vaccination).

Have other credentialing questions? Then join us this fall for The Credentialing Clinic at the New York Marriott Marquis where we will work through all of your toughest credentialing dilemmas, including how to modernize your eligibility criteria.

And if you can’t make it to the Big Apple, please contact us to have The Credentialing Clinic come to you!