CPCS CPCS Locum Tenens and Temporary Credentialing

Question 1

What is the maximum duration that Joint Commission standards allow a hospital to use a 'expedited' or temporary credentialing process for a locum tenens physician before full credentials must be verified?

Accepted Answer

120 days

Answer

180 days

Answer

60 days

Answer

90 days

Question 2

A locum tenens agency claims they have already verified a practitioner's credentials and sends a credential summary. Can the hospital rely solely on this summary?

Accepted Answer

No; the hospital must independently verify credentials or obtain primary source verification from the agency under a documented agreement

Answer

Yes, as long as the agency is accredited by NCQA

Answer

Yes, if the practitioner has worked at the hospital before

Answer

No, only the NPDB query is required independently

Question 3

Under CMS Conditions of Participation, which practitioner information MUST be queried from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) during the temporary privileging process?

Accepted Answer

Any adverse actions, malpractice payments, and licensure actions for all physicians and dentists

Answer

Only malpractice payment history for surgeons

Answer

Licensure information only for non-physician practitioners

Answer

Criminal background check results

Question 4

A hospital needs a surgeon immediately due to an unexpected vacancy. Which mechanism allows privileges to be granted rapidly without full credentials committee review?

Accepted Answer

Emergency or disaster credentialing provisions authorized by the medical staff bylaws or emergency management plan

Answer

Verbal approval from the department chair only

Answer

Automatic reciprocity from any other accredited hospital

Answer

A signed attestation from the locum agency

Question 5

Which document must be on file BEFORE a locum tenens practitioner sees their first patient under temporary privileges?

Accepted Answer

Completed temporary privilege application, current licensure verification, and NPDB query results

Answer

Only a signed employment contract with the locum agency

Answer

A letter of good standing from the practitioner's home hospital

Answer

A peer reference from a colleague only

Question 6

What is the PRIMARY risk of granting temporary privileges to a locum tenens practitioner without completing an NPDB query?

Accepted Answer

The hospital may be liable for negligent credentialing if the practitioner has undisclosed adverse actions

Answer

The practitioner's malpractice insurance becomes void

Answer

The state medical board will automatically revoke hospital accreditation

Answer

The locum agency bears sole liability for any adverse outcomes