August 8, 2003

A resource for caregivers:
New Delineation of Privileges website

A new internal-only website has been created to provide easy access to information regarding the appointments and clinical privileges of MGH and Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) medical staff. The site serves as a resource for nurses and other caregivers to confirm the identity and patient care privileges of physicians.

This site was created in response to a need within the MGH to provide staff with the ability to understand and have access to the patient care responsibilities granted to physicians. This resource also meets the requirements established by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

According to Linda Weinstein, director of the MGH Registrar and Credentialing Office, the information displayed on this site comes from the Delineation of Privileges (DOP) form completed when a physician is initially credentialed and is updated at each re-credentialing cycle. Delineation refers to the detailed description of the clinical privileges a physician is granted to conduct patient care. The DOP data is continuously updated from the master credentialing system.

"We believe that JCAHO will find this site to be an excellent resource for such a large and complicated institution," says Maryanne Spicer, director of MGH Corporate Compliance and chair of the hospital's JCAHO steering committee.

The site can be accessed from any Partners workstation by selecting "Partners Applications" from the start button, then selecting "Clinical References," then "MGH Delineation of Privileges Intranet Site."

For more information about the site, call Weinstein at (617) 724-8264 or send e-mail to lweinstein@partners.org