Although the basic concepts of credentialing apply to all aspects of healthcare, ambulatory care facilities (ACF) face unique challenges.
In the hospital setting, as well as in the credentials verification organization (CVO) and managed care environments, dedicated employees who specialize in credentialing perform these duties. However, in ambulatory care an administrator or manager who performs myriad other job duties is typically assigned these functions.
Editor's note: This was excerpted from the upcoming 2007 Credentialing and Privileging Desktop Reference, available December 4, 2006. For more information or to order, go to http://www.hcmarketplace.com.
