Protecting Your Medical License, Reputation, and Hospital Privileges

Peer review and credentialing actions can have a devastating impact on your career. A negative finding in a peer review or a restriction on hospital privileges can lead to mandatory reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), damage your professional reputation, and even jeopardize your license.

At Di Pietro Partners, we represent physicians, surgeons, and other licensed healthcare professionals facing credentialing issues, disciplinary action by hospitals, and adverse peer review findings. Our healthcare attorneys understand the complexity of hospital bylaws, medical staff regulations, and the broader implications of credentialing decisions.

What Are Peer Review Investigations?

Peer review is a formal process by which a hospital or medical staff committee evaluates a provider’s clinical competence, professional performance, or conduct. These investigations often arise from:

  • Alleged surgical or procedural complications
  • Clinical errors or patterns of poor outcomes
  • Behavioral issues, including disruptive conduct
  • Patient complaints or colleague concerns
  • Suspected drug or alcohol impairment
  • Concerns raised during routine quality audits

Peer review actions may result in summary suspension, letters of reprimand, mandated retraining, or even revocation of medical staff privileges.

The Credentialing Process & Risks

Credentialing involves verifying a provider’s qualifications, training, experience, and background before granting hospital privileges. Any red flag uncovered during credentialing or re-credentialing can trigger heightened scrutiny. Common issues include:

An adverse credentialing outcome can:

  • Restrict or deny hospital privileges
  • Limit participation in insurance networks
  • Trigger NPDB reporting obligations
  • Damage long-term employability

How Di Pietro Partners Can Help

Our attorneys guide physicians through every stage of peer review and credentialing disputes, including:

  • Reviewing hospital bylaws and ensuring due process rights are honored
  • Preparing responses to peer review inquiries or credentialing challenges
  • Representing providers at medical staff hearings and appeals
  • Negotiating corrective action plans or conditional reinstatement of privileges
  • Coordinating defense with licensing boards and DOH proceedings
  • Protecting against NPDB reporting or mitigating its impact

We approach these cases not only as healthcare lawyers but as strategic defenders of your professional future.

Why Work With Di Pietro Partners

  • Healthcare Law Focus: We concentrate on representing healthcare providers in Florida.
  • Trial-Tested Advocacy: If your case escalates, we have courtroom experience few firms can match.
  • Medical Insight: With a board-certified physician on staff, we understand both the clinical and regulatory context of peer review.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. What rights do I have in a hospital peer review?
    Hospitals must follow their own bylaws and provide due process, including notice of allegations, an opportunity to respond, and (in many cases) a fair hearing before privileges are restricted.
  • Q. Will peer review findings be reported to the NPDB?
    Yes, certain adverse actions lasting more than 30 days must be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, which can affect licensing, employment, and credentialing nationwide.
  • Q. How is credentialing different from peer review?
    Credentialing verifies qualifications before granting privileges, while peer review investigates concerns about existing providers. Both processes carry significant risks if not handled properly.
  • Q. Should I respond to a peer review inquiry without an attorney?
    No. Even an informal or preliminary response can be used against you later. It’s important to consult an attorney before replying.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation

If you are facing peer review, credentialing challenges, or restrictions on hospital privileges, time is critical. Contact Di Pietro Partners today to speak with an experienced Florida healthcare attorney and protect your medical license and reputation.