Help practitioners understand the process for requesting privileges

Privileges are permissions that have been granted to a physician or other licensed independent practitioner to provide specific patient care services, which may include the ability to admit, treat, manage, and perform procedures. The term “privileging” refers to the pro­cess the hospital and medical staff use to delineate, review, and approve these services.

Applicants will be asked to complete a delineation of clinical privileges form that includes a specific description of the clinical privileges they may request.

When making a request for privileges, applicants must meet the criteria and qualifications for those privileges, or their request will not be processed.

Criteria for privileging is focused on competency to perform the requested patient care services. Eligibility criteria for privileges could include the following:

• Completion of residency training in a particular specialty
• Specialty or subspecialty board certification or board eligibility
• Special training provided by the equipment vendor
• Additional training in a particular area beyond the basic residency program, such as a fellowship or six months additional training in a particular area
• Successful completion of a required number of procedures with acceptable outcomes

Most delineation of clinical privilege forms will indicate the medical staff’s criteria and requirements for requesting privileges. Some medical staffs may include the requirements for requesting privileges in another document, such as departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Documentation showing that these criteria have been met should be submitted with the request for privileges.