I understand about not being able to chart if you are not credentialed, but writing in the chart has nothing to do with assessing the situation and giving verbal or even written instruction to the patient directly.  

There is a slight analogy with ministers.  They certainly do support the mental and spiritual aspects of a patient, they communicate directly with the patient and they don't write on the chart and they are not credentialed by the hospital, but they still make visits to the patient. And also they usually permit ministers to visit the patient outside of regular visiting hours.

In the litigious society that we live in, I understand the hospital's position in requiring the credentialing process.  $345 dollars seems awfully steep as a fee for that.  Was that a one time fee or required every time you renew your privileges?  Also on the other hand, if there are public visiting hours, they also cannot prevent the LC from visiting during those times.

Jon Ahrendsen 
Becky Ahrendsen
Clarion, Iowa