QUESTION:        In response to a credentials verification inquiry about a former staff member, one of our newest department chiefs disclosed that this former staff member had been subject to a performance improvement plan. Now a lawyer for that former staff member has demanded a retraction and threatened to sue for defamation. What should we do?

ANSWER:           Refer the letter to counsel, who can send a response educating the lawyer about custom and practice in credentialing and about the immunity for provision of accurate information. There is nothing to retract if the response was true, nor would a defamation claim succeed. (More importantly, such a letter can help with other potential audiences, in case a suit is filed.) Credentialing would break down if no one responded truthfully to verification inquiries. The Health Care Quality Improvement Act provides for immunity in favor of those who provide information to other hospitals. 42 U.S.C. Section 11111(a)(2). However, even meritless suits are a drain on resources and may have a chilling effect on future leaders.

Immunity helps if there is a suit, but are there ways to minimize the likelihood of a suit? If there were issues with a former staff member, it may be prudent for all inquiries to be referred to a central place, such as a VPMA/CMO, who can guide a new Chief. Your Medical Staff Services Professional can also be a great help in fielding such inquiries and helping new leaders who have never faced such an issue. In the future, you might consider, as a policy matter, developing a standard communication for use when inquiries relate to a practitioner who experienced concerns, advising inquiring hospitals that no response to any credentialing inquiry will be provided without a signed specific release. That will send a message without revealing anything.

Be sure you have excellent and strong release and immunity language in your Bylaws or Credentials Policy. And – be sure your new Chiefs attend our Credentialing Clinic or Complete Course for Medical Staff Leaders! The first step to an excellent medical staff is careful credentialing!