What is an OPPE?

Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) is a process that assesses a physicians deficiencies and seeks to improve performance. An OPPE may be an educational tool or it may be a first step in the disciplinary process.

The process is a continuous, data-driven process required by The Joint Commission for accredited healthcare organizations to monitor the competency and professional performance of privileged practitioners, such as physicians and advanced practice providers.  An OPPE may or may not be viewed as discipline.  Often the by-laws governing a hospital or medical organization will dictate under what circumstances an OPPE can be deemed educational and not disciplinary.

Its primary purpose is to identify practice trends that may affect the quality and safety of patient care, enabling early detection of potential issues and supporting informed decisions on maintaining, revising, or revoking privileges.

OPPE involves regular collection and review of both quantitative (e.g., procedure volumes, outcomes, complication rates) and qualitative data (e.g., peer feedback, chart reviews), typically more frequently than annually—often every 6-12 months—to ensure ongoing oversight rather than just periodic evaluation at reappointment.

Unlike Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE), which is a time-limited review for new privileges or specific concerns, OPPE applies to all privileged providers and integrates into credentialing and quality improvement efforts. If trends raise concerns, it may trigger an FPPE for deeper investigation.