Why Independent Peer Review?

Situations Requiring Independent Peer Review
While internal peer review is an important method, when care provided by a practitioner is called into question, so might the integrity of the peer review process. What happens when you are faced with one of these potential peer review issues?

• Only one physician of a particular specialty on staff – true peer review is not being performed
  
• Conflict of interest and potential for bias can exist when several physicians in the required specialty are on staff; however, physicians may:
  • Have a social or personal relationship
  • Be in partnership or direct competition
  • Have an established referral pattern
• New treatment or diagnostic services are offered with the need to validate quality / interpretation for credentialing
• An adverse event occurred with a concern regarding standard of care
• A physician requests additional clinical privileges
• There is question whether a physician’s privileges should be reduced or revoked
• External review/testimony is needed as part of an internal fair hearing process

Benefits of Independent Peer Review
Outsourcing peer review is a “best practice”.  CIMRO’s independent peer review services:

• Address conflict of interest when limited number of specialty practitioners questions objectivity
• Remove bias with physician referral relationships
• Ensure adherence to quality standards
• Reduce your liability risk
• Assist with regulatory, credentialing and accreditation requirements
• Remove the barriers standing in the way of your quality improvement initiatives
• Provide expert testimony and fair hearing experience

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities nationwide seek CIMRO’s independent peer review services in order to support their internal quality activities and/or avoid potential conflict of interest concerns.