For example, those reviewing an application for reappointment should have quantitative information regarding the applicant's frequency of privileges exercised, problems such as nosocomial infections or unscheduled returns to the operating room, patient complaints, medical record delinquencies, etc. In addition to the above responsibilities, the medical staff office also is responsible for developing and maintaining documentation related to credentialing, privileging, and other medical staff functions. Today's medical staff office should also document its operations. For example, it should have its own policies and procedures that outline office operations. In particular, it should document how the medical staff performs its legally required functions.
Confidentiality is a major issue in the medical staff office.
The details of medical staff members' professional affairs must be kept confidential. And information regarding hospital operations must be kept confidential to help prevent lawsuits against the hospital. Medical staff office policies and procedures should include separate confidentiality statements that specify who can access each type of document and under what circumstances. They should also state how each type of document should be stored. Such statements not only guide office staff in handling different documents but also help to demonstrate that documents are treated as confidential.