Credentialing and Privileging - Temporary Privileges
What are the requirements for granting temporary privileges ?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
There are two circumstances in which temporary privileges (See MS.06.01.13) may be granted. ÌýEach circumstance has different criteria for granting privileges. ÌýThe acceptable circumstances for which granting temporary privileges include:
The medical staff bylaws at MS.01.01.01 EP 14Ìýmust include a description of the privileging process including temporary and disaster privileges (see EM.02.02.13). ÌýThe description of temporary privileges would need to include the elements of performance outlined at MS.06.01.13 for the two acceptable reasons, i.e., important patient care need and new applicant temporary privileges. Ìý
Ìý
There are two circumstances in which temporary privileges (See MS.06.01.13) may be granted. ÌýEach circumstance has different criteria for granting privileges. ÌýThe acceptable circumstances for which granting temporary privileges include:
- To fulfill an important patient care, treatment, and service need, or
- When an applicant for new privileges^Ìýwith a complete application that raises no concerns is awaiting review and approval byÌýthe Medical Executive Committee (MEC) and the governing body.
^Note: Applicant for new privilegesÌýincludes an individual applying for clinical privileges at the hospital for the first time; an individual currently holding clinical privileges who is requesting one or more additional privileges; and an individual who is in the reappointment/re-privileging process and is requesting one or more additional privileges.
The medical staff bylaws at MS.01.01.01 EP 14Ìýmust include a description of the privileging process including temporary and disaster privileges (see EM.02.02.13). ÌýThe description of temporary privileges would need to include the elements of performance outlined at MS.06.01.13 for the two acceptable reasons, i.e., important patient care need and new applicant temporary privileges. Ìý
As noted at MS.06.01.13, new applicant temporary privileges are granted when the applicant is awaiting review and approval by the organized medical staff, or if delegated to the MEC, etc.ÌýÌýTemporary privileges for applicants for new privileges are granted for no more than 120 days.
Ìý
The second, and most common reason for use of temporary privileges is to meet an important patient care need. ÌýThe need must be documented in the credentials file at the time privileges are granted. ÌýIt typically appears as a recommendation from the medical staff president or designee to the CEO who grants the privileges. ÌýIt could also appear in a statement by the CEO as to the reason for granting the temporary privilege(s).
Ìý
Examples of important patient care needs may include, but are not limited to:
- ÌýThe care of a patient requires specialized skills that no currently privileged practitioner possesses
- ÌýAÌýcurrently privileged practitioner will be absent from the organization and someone is needed to cover the associated patients during the absence (commonly termed locum tenems)
- ÌýThe patient care volume exceeds the level that can be handled by currently privileged practitioners and additional practitioners are needed to handle the volume
Failure to process a practitioner's reappointment application in a timely manner is not a reason for the use of 'important patient care need' temporary privileges. To grant temporary privileges in such a situation, the organization would need to justify and document thatÌýrequiring the practitioner to stop practicing at the time of reappointment for failure to submit the application in a timely manner - orÌýfailure to process the application in a timely manner - would result in an important patient care need situation.Ìý Examples may include, but not limited to:
- Requiring an anesthesiologist to stop practicing at reappointment, when the organization only has three anesthesiologists which results in a backlog of surgeries, would be an important patient care need issue and would justify the use of temporary privileges at reappointment.Ìý
- However, requiring a pediatrician to stop practicing at reappointment, when the organization has ten other pediatricians that could admit the children, would probably not result or meet the definition of an 'important patient care need', therefore, may not justify the use of temporary privileges at reappointment.Ìý
The determination would need to be made on an applicant-by-applicant / case-by-case basis and not as a routine basis for all re-appointments that are not submitted or processed in a timely manner.
Ìý
Ìý
When temporary privileges are granted, whether awaiting governing body approval of full privileges, or to meet an important patient care need, the period of FPPE begins at the time temporary privileges are granted. For example, if temporary privileges are granted on July 1, 2021, however, the governing body does not meet until September 15, 2021, the period of FPPE starts July 1, 2021.Ìý
Manual:
Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter:
Medical Staff MS
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: May 10, 2022
Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: September 13, 2019
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on September 13, 2022
with update notes of: Editorial changes only
Types of changes and an explanation of change type:
Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. |
Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. |
Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
Get Extra Help with Books and E-books
Browse our gallery of books and e-books to find trusted prep and readiness resources, practical checklists and toolkits, and resources on specialized health care topics.
Stay Informed with Online Education
Online education is the most convenient and cost-effective way to educate your staff and minimize expenses without the need to leave your organization.
Reach Your Safety Goals with eProducts
Assessing and sustaining compliance with accreditation standards or CMS CoPs can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Rely on our proven software solutions developed by our team of industry experts.
Joint Commission Virtual Assistant