CPCS Disaster and Emergency Privileging 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How do disaster privileges differ from standard temporary privileges?
- Disaster privileges are granted when normal PSV cannot be performed; temporary privileges require at least some standard verification steps (Correct answer)
- Disaster privileges are permanent; temporary privileges expire in 90 days
- Disaster privileges require full NPDB query; temporary privileges do not
- There is no meaningful regulatory or procedural difference between them
Correct answer: Disaster privileges are granted when normal PSV cannot be performed; temporary privileges require at least some standard verification steps
Disaster privileges are specifically designed for situations where normal primary source verification is impossible due to the emergency, whereas standard temporary privileges are granted only after completing verification steps.
Question 2: Under CMS Conditions of Participation (42 CFR 482.22), what must a hospital have in place related to emergency or disaster situations?
- A documented process for handling emergency credentialing of practitioners during disasters (Correct answer)
- An agreement with the state to suspend credentialing requirements during any declared emergency
- A pre-approved roster of volunteer practitioners endorsed by the state department of health
- A federal waiver exempting the hospital from NPDB queries for 90 days after a disaster
Correct answer: A documented process for handling emergency credentialing of practitioners during disasters
CMS Conditions of Participation require hospitals to have written processes addressing how they will credential practitioners in emergency or disaster situations when normal procedures cannot be followed.
Question 3: What typically enables out-of-state practitioners to provide care across state lines without obtaining a new state license during a declared emergency?
- A governor's emergency declaration that activates special interstate practice authority (Correct answer)
- Automatic reciprocity agreements between all state medical boards
- A Joint Commission-issued temporary multi-state privilege card
- An NPDB waiver submitted by the receiving hospital
Correct answer: A governor's emergency declaration that activates special interstate practice authority
A governor's emergency declaration typically activates special legal provisions — such as those under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) — that allow out-of-state licensed practitioners to provide care without a separate state license during the emergency.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of maintaining a disaster privileges roster during an emergency event?
- To track all practitioners granted emergency privileges so PSV can be completed or privileges terminated afterward (Correct answer)
- To create a permanent credentialing file replacing the standard application process
- To comply with state board reporting requirements within 24 hours of the disaster
- To qualify the hospital for FEMA disaster reimbursement for volunteer practitioner services
Correct answer: To track all practitioners granted emergency privileges so PSV can be completed or privileges terminated afterward
The disaster privileges roster documents who was privileged, what scope they were granted, and when, providing the information needed to complete post-disaster primary source verification or terminate privileges.
Question 5: A practitioner presents only a medical school diploma and a personal business card during a disaster. Should disaster privileges be granted on this basis?
- No, because a government-issued photo ID is a non-negotiable minimum requirement (Correct answer)
- Yes, because any evidence of medical training is sufficient during a declared emergency
- Yes, if the department chief verbally confirms they recognize the practitioner
- No, because a full NPDB query must be completed before any privileges are granted
Correct answer: No, because a government-issued photo ID is a non-negotiable minimum requirement
Joint Commission Standard MS.13.01.01 requires at minimum a government-issued photo ID plus evidence of licensure — a diploma and business card do not satisfy this requirement.
Question 6: When should the hospital notify medical staff leadership about practitioners who have received disaster privileges?
- As soon as practicable during or after the emergency event (Correct answer)
- Only at the next regularly scheduled medical executive committee meeting
- Within exactly 72 hours of each privilege being granted
- Only if a patient complaint or adverse event arises involving that practitioner
Correct answer: As soon as practicable during or after the emergency event
Medical staff leadership should be informed of all practitioners granted disaster privileges as soon as practicable so they can provide oversight and support appropriate patient safety monitoring.
Question 7: Which type of practitioner is MOST commonly the intended subject of hospital disaster privileging policies?
- Volunteer licensed independent practitioners not currently on the medical staff (Correct answer)
- Current hospital employees who already have active credentials on file
- Practitioners whose hospital privileges have recently lapsed
- Medical students completing required clinical rotations
Correct answer: Volunteer licensed independent practitioners not currently on the medical staff
Disaster privileging policies are primarily designed for volunteer licensed independent practitioners who are not members of the existing medical staff but who arrive to assist during the emergency.
CPCS Disaster and Emergency Privileging 2
How do disaster privileges differ from standard temporary privileges?