Physician Preference Guide Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Physician Preference Guide?

The Physician Preference Guide is a self-service tool that allows physicians to manage and update their admission and specialty preferences. As of 2021 physicians are responsible for updating and maintaining their own information in the PPG.

Each hospital will identify a local admin to help operationalize the PPG. We strongly encourage that individual physicians populate and manage their PPG preferences but also understand the need for local autonomy in how medical staff offices and administration supports physicians.

If a physician is unable to login and update their preferences, they may contact a site admin for assistance. The admins ability to edit preferences for physicians is on a case-by-case basis and determined locally by each site.  Local admins must keep documentation that a request for a change was made by a physician.

History of the Physician Preference Guide

Physician preference guide was originally created in 2013 for the North campuses as a tool for providers to view admitting preferences online and in EPIC. In October 2020 the PPG program received a much needed facelift to its design and data. It was determined at that time the program would be opened up for all ED and Inpatient campuses across Beaumont Health through a phased approach. Phase 1 was completed in October 2020 and Phase 2, the South campuses roll-out, will be completed April 2021.

Why is IT rolling it out system wide and why can't we use what we already have?

Legacy Oakwood's credentialing system called Visual Cactus which was the home of admission preferences for the south campuses is being retired in 2021. The new Credentialing system, Cactus that went live April 8, 2021 will no longer be storing provider admission preferences. Starting April 2021, the Physician Preference Guide will be the home of all provider admitting preferences.

Who is eligible to use the PPG?

Currently Emergency Department and Inpatient providers are able to use the PPG to see their patient's PCP's admitting preferences and set their own preferences. It is undetermined if the PPG will be opened up to all Beaumont Health providers.

How does this change the current workflow for registration?

This new PPG program replaces the need to check the notes section in EPIC while in a patient’s chart. Providers will now be able to click on the PPG tab to view the patient’s PCP (if it has been set) and see that providers admitting preferences. Registration will no longer be entering admitting preferences into the notes section of a patient’s chart in EPIC.

Who is responsible for updating and maintaining preferences?

The PPG was designed as a self-service program. This means providers are responsible for updating and maintaining their own preferences.

If a physician is unable to login and update their preferences, they may contact their site admin for assistance. The admins ability to edit preferences for physicians is on a case-by-case basis and determined locally by each site.  All admins must keep documentation that a request for a change was made by a physician.

Can I still email or fax the paper form with my updated preferences?

Any current or older versions of the paper form used to request admitting preferences be updated will no longer be used or accepted. Physicians must login to the PPG and update preferences themselves or contact a Site Admin if assistance is needed.   All providers are able to set and update their own preferences in the PPG program. Please see the tip sheets and how to video's if you need assistance or contact your specific site admin for help.  Site admins must keep documentation that a request for a change was made by a physician.

Can I call registration to have them update my preferences for me?

Registration and physician liaisons will no longer be able to update preferences. All providers are able to set and update their own preferences in the PPG program. Please see the tip sheets and how to video's if you need assistance or contact your specific site admin for help.  Site admins must keep documentation that a request for a change was made by a physician.

How do I login?

The PPG uses Active Directory and your Beaumont credentials used to sign into BH Apps, or a Beaumont computer. If you are locked out of your account, please contact the Help Desk.

Are there training materials available?

There are tip sheets and training videos posted to the Providers website. You can view them all here 

What if the information in the PPG is wrong or missing?

If the information for your own preferences is incorrect, please visit the PPG website to login and update your preferences. If it is wrong for another provider, you may contact a site admin and ask them to assist that provider in updating their preferences. Do not open a ticket for missing or incorrect information in the PPG.