Admitting Privileges

Hmmm - doubt it as CMS (and therefore Medicaid) require a physician be the admitting entity.

On advance for NP/PA, there is a survey report that indicates at least 7 of those surveyed had admitting privileges. So it exist somewhere, perhaps they admit and the MD just signs off on it somewhere after the fact.

If you look back a year of so you will find this exact same discussion. Basically it boils down to your definition of admit. I have admission privileges as do all the NPs and PAs that I work with. Its one of the boxes that you check when you apply for privileges. What this does is allow you to write admission orders on the patient. You have to have a supervising physician that also has admission privileges. Note that not all physicians have admission privileges. Many physicians are consult only and cannot admit patients.

What I am assuming the OP meant was can an NP admit and manage a hospitalized patient without any physician involvement. The answer to this last year is probably the same as this year. No they cannot. There are many obstacles which would include state law, hospital bylaws and insurance regulations. The fact that 7 people in an anonymous internet survey answered an unclear question in the affirmative does not constitute proof.

On the other hand it is completely possible for a patient to be admitted and discharged and never see a physician. That doesn't mean the physician is not involved or responsible.

David Carpenter, PA-C