A Partnership that Works
As part of our ongoing Best Practices series,
State Network News interviewed Robert J
Sullivan Jr., MD, CMD, a member of the North
Carolina Medical Directors Association and the
Medical Advisor for North Carolina since 2003. In
the following interview he discusses how North
Carolina Medical Directors Association worked to
established a partnership with the State and how
his work has improved the survey process for all
those involved.
SNN: How did North Carolina Medical Directors
Association go about establishing a partnership
with state surveyors?
Sullivan: In 2003, the state chapter under the
leadership of Chris Herman MD, CMD, invited the
North Carolina Division of Facility Services to
host sessions by a team of surveyors to regional
and state chapter meetings. Those sessions
enhanced the appreciation of all parties regarding
the perspective of others involved in the survey
process. The State was eager to participate and
listened thoughtfully to questions raised, and
observations by, medical directors.
SNN: When were you appointed Medical Advisor,
and how has your position improved the survey
process?
Sullivan: In 2003, the North Carolina Assistant
Secretary for Health asked me to assume the
role of Medical Advisor to serve as liaison
between the medical directors, the Health Care
Facilities Association, and the surveyors. I now
spend lots of time discussing care issues with
surveyors and helping them understand medical
aspects of citations they have under
consideration. The result has been better
targeted citations that take into account the
perspective of the physicians involved. I receive
calls from physicians and help them understand
regulatory standards that surveyors must uphold.
Complaints about unwarranted or unsupported
citations have dropped to virtually nil.
SNN: How can other state chapters benefit from
what North Carolina has done?
Sullivan: If a CMD is not currently working as a
medical director (to avoid conflict of interest) and
is willing to serve as an advisor to the state
survey agency, I believe it will improve the quality
of surveys to have a physician available for
consultation.
SNN: What advice would you give to surveyors?
Sullivan: Continue to seek the opinion of the
treating physician and/or the medical director
when evaluating complaints or assessing
compliance with state and federal regulations.
E-mail your best practices to ngermain@amda.com or
call (410) 992-3114.
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