Peer review of hospital social work

To comply with PSRO legislation, St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York (NYC) in 1977 established a social service peer review program. Detailed criteria are used in evaluating completed cases from 10 social service staff members each month, with the whole social work staff participating as evaluators on a rotation basis. The hospital expects the ongoing review program to benefit its social service practice in many ways and ultimately to upgrade patient care.