Ask ECRI: Peer Review for Behavioral Health Personnel

A member organization adding behavioral health services for the first time recently inquired about ensuring that appropriate credentialing and peer review can take place. The practice asked how to conduct peer review for a newly hired clinician who will be a full-time employee and the only behavioral health specialist at the practice. The member also asked whether the medical director, a nurse practitioner, could conduct peer review for the newly created position.

With regard to credentialing, ECRI Institute recommends beginning by identifying the credentials of the individual to determine where they fit. For example, the practice should understand whether this person is a physician, psychologist, or social worker or has other behavioral health credentials. The practice should next look at state practice acts and laws to determine whether this person...