The Joint Commission defined credentialing and privileging for physicians when it comes to peer references when there isn't a similar practitioner on staff.
Here are four key notes:
1. The Joint Commission defines "peer" as someone in the same discipline. Among nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologist or social workers, someone from the same discipline and organization should obtain a reference.
2. The "peer" providing the reference needs to be familiar with the individual's performance before making the reference.
3. The reference can come from within or outside of the organization.
4. A physician or DO with equal qualifications and familiar with the new practitioner's performance can provide the reference if there aren't other options. For example, an anesthesiologist could provide a reference for nurse anesthetists.