EM Leaders Meet with Joint Commission About First Dose review

From ACEP.
May 23, 2007

On April 6, 2007, the Joint Commission notified hospital administrators that effective immediately the interim rule delaying the standard requiring first dose prospective pharmacy review had been reversed. ACEP, working with ENA and AAEM, sent a letter of protest. In addition, the three organizations requested a face-to-face meeting with the Joint Commission to underscore the problems the standard presents.

On May 17, representatives of ACEP, ENA and AAEM met with the Dr. Robert Wise, Vice President, Division of Standards and Survey Methods, and other key staff from the Joint Commission. During the 90-minute meeting, the three organizations presented their concerns and asked that the Joint Commission address the problems presented by this standard.

Dr. Wise indicated that the standards division will be making recommendations to the Joint Commission leadership based on the concerns expressed during the meeting and will be publishing interpretive guidelines for the medication standard within the next 3 to 4 weeks.