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The Joint Commission has approved the deletion of element of performance (EP) 10 at MM.05.01.01 for the home care, behavioral health care, critical access hospital, hospital, and long term care accreditation program. The deleted element of performance requires that "all medication orders are reviewed for the following: Variation from the hospital's indication for use."

Joint Commission deletes element of performance

March 1, 2011

Joint Commission deletes element of performance

The Joint Commission has approved the deletion of element of performance (EP) 10 at MM.05.01.01 for the home care, behavioral health care, critical access hospital, hospital, and long term care accreditation program. The deleted element of performance requires that "all medication orders are reviewed for the following: Variation from the hospital's indication for use."

The Joint Commission believes this requirement is redundant because standard MM.04.01.01, EP 9 requires every medication that is ordered to include an indication for use. In addition, standard MM.05.01.01 contains other requirements that meet the intent of EP 10. These EPs state that "all medication orders are reviewed for the following: The appropriateness of the medication, dose, frequency, and route of administration." These EPs also state that "[a]fter the medication order has been reviewed, all concerns, issues, or questions are clarified with the individual prescriber before dispensing."