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A different perspective on quality
1Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. hershey@pitt.edu
Summary
Hospitals often restrict physician access using exclusive contracting and credentialing. These measures, aimed at ensuring quality care, have generally been upheld in legal challenges by qualified physicians.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Administration
- Medical Staff Governance
- Health Law
Background:
- Physician credentialing traditionally assesses professional performance and behavior.
- Hospitals employ restrictive measures like exclusive contracting and credentialing to manage medical staff appointments and privileges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the legal and practical implications of hospital credentialing processes.
- To examine the justification and outcomes of restrictive credentialing practices.
Main Methods:
- Review of hospital credentialing policies and legal precedents.
- Analysis of restrictive measures: exclusive contracting, medical staff planning, and exclusive credentialing.
Main Results:
- Hospitals utilize exclusive contracting, staff planning, and credentialing to limit physician appointments.
- These restrictive measures are often legally defended by citing public interest in quality healthcare services.
Conclusions:
- Restrictive credentialing practices by hospitals are frequently successful in litigation.
- The legal defense often centers on the hospital's commitment to providing high-quality community healthcare.