The Process

External peer review is an important tool for hospitals, medical staffs and legal counsel when they are confronted with concerns about quality and/or other serious problems, such as potential limitation or revocation of privileges. The evaluation of the quality of patient care  by prominent experts, is a responsibility the Foundation has undertaken for over 2,000 hospitals since 1987.

The type and extent of our review and resulting recommendations will depend upon the reasons that stimulated it and the guidance requested. We insure fair evaluations and offer support for implementing results be it through reeducation, recredentialing, system reorganization, mediation or arbitration. Whenever possible, the Foundation attempts to work toward educational rather than punitive outcomes. The independent evaluation by nationally recognized clinicians within the same specialty being evaluated generates positive professional and behavioral change. When needed, on-site instruction, consulting, and information sharing with suggestions to improve skills, can be scheduled following reviews.

Peer review is an educational opportunity...

Both physicians and hospitals appreciate the post-peer review preceptor programs administered through our division, the Foundation for Advanced Medical Education. One program for example, begins with a prominent preceptor who, in conjunction with didactic and laboratory simulator experience, demonstrates new or unfamiliar procedures to the preceptee at a university or other teaching hospital. This may be followed by the preceptor demonstrating surgical techniques for a defined period of time, and then traveling to observe on-site in the preceptee’s own hospital. 

To Peer Review of Individual Physicians