Free CPCS Clinical Privileging and Competency Evaluation (FPPE/OPPE) Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE)?
- To discipline a practitioner for poor performance.
- To evaluate the privilege-specific competence of a practitioner who is new to the organization or requests new privileges. (Correct answer)
- To satisfy the annual performance review requirements for all medical staff members.
- To replace the Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) process.
Correct answer: To evaluate the privilege-specific competence of a practitioner who is new to the organization or requests new privileges.
FPPE is a time-limited process used to confirm the current competence of a practitioner for the privileges requested. It is triggered for all new applicants and for existing practitioners seeking new privileges, or when a specific concern arises about a practitioner's practice.
Question 2: Which of the following would most likely trigger a for-cause FPPE?
- A practitioner's request for additional privileges.
- A single, isolated patient complaint with no adverse outcome.
- A trend of unexpected adverse outcomes identified during peer review. (Correct answer)
- The practitioner's completion of their initial provisional period.
Correct answer: A trend of unexpected adverse outcomes identified during peer review.
A for-cause FPPE is initiated when there is a specific concern about a practitioner's professional practice. A trend of negative outcomes, rather than an isolated incident or a routine request, is a common and appropriate trigger for this type of focused evaluation.
Question 3: The primary goal of Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) is to:
- Grant initial clinical privileges to new applicants.
- Identify professional practice trends that may require intervention and support decisions regarding the continuance of privileges. (Correct answer)
- Fulfill the requirements for state licensure renewal.
- Determine a practitioner's eligibility for medical staff leadership positions.
Correct answer: Identify professional practice trends that may require intervention and support decisions regarding the continuance of privileges.
OPPE is a continuous process of data collection and evaluation to assess a practitioner's ongoing competence and professional behavior. The data helps identify professional practice trends and informs decisions about continuing, limiting, or revoking privileges at the time of reappointment.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a typical data source for a surgeon's OPPE?
- Surgical case review and peer review findings.
- Patient satisfaction scores related to communication.
- The surgeon's personal financial investment in the hospital. (Correct answer)
- Data on post-operative infection rates.
Correct answer: The surgeon's personal financial investment in the hospital.
OPPE data must be relevant to the practitioner's clinical performance and professional conduct. Financial information, such as personal investments, is not a valid indicator of clinical competence and should not be included in the evaluation.
Question 5: How does OPPE information primarily influence the reappointment process?
- It replaces the need for a formal reappointment application.
- It provides objective data to support the recommendation for continuation of privileges. (Correct answer)
- It is the sole factor considered for reappointment.
- It is only used if a practitioner has had a malpractice claim.
Correct answer: It provides objective data to support the recommendation for continuation of privileges.
OPPE data is a critical component of the reappointment process, providing an objective, evidence-based foundation for the medical staff's recommendation to continue a practitioner's privileges. It demonstrates that the practitioner's performance has been monitored and meets organizational standards.
Question 6: When developing criteria for a new clinical privilege, the medical staff should primarily base the requirements on:
- The number of practitioners who want to perform the procedure.
- The reimbursement rates for the procedure.
- Nationally recognized, evidence-based standards and specialty board recommendations. (Correct answer)
- The technology available at a competing hospital.
Correct answer: Nationally recognized, evidence-based standards and specialty board recommendations.
Privilege criteria must be based on objective, evidence-based sources to ensure they are fair, defensible, and promote patient safety. Relying on national standards from specialty societies and boards ensures that the criteria reflect current best practices for quality and safety.
Question 7: Temporary privileges may be granted by the CEO or authorized designee under which circumstance?
- When a practitioner's application is incomplete but they are needed for a non-urgent case.
- To fulfill an important patient care need, pending review and approval by the medical executive committee. (Correct answer)
- When a practitioner wants to try out practicing at the hospital before committing.
- For any practitioner who holds a valid license in the state.
Correct answer: To fulfill an important patient care need, pending review and approval by the medical executive committee.
Temporary privileges are granted in specific, limited situations, most commonly to meet an important patient care need. The practitioner must still have a complete application, a valid license, and no current or previously successful challenges to licensure, with the granting being time-limited pending full review.
Free CPCS Clinical Privileging and Competency Evaluation (FPPE/OPPE) Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE)?