On April 6, the Joint Commission rescinded the Interim Action for Standard MM.4.10 EP 1 for Emergency Departments. Therefore, in accordance with MM.4.10 EP 1:

"..prior to dispensing, removal from floor stock, or removal from an automated storage and distribution device, a prospective pharmacy review is expected for all medication orders unless a licensed independent practitioner controls the ordering, preparation, and administration of the medication; or in urgent situations when the resulting delay would harm the patient, including situations in which the patient experiences a sudden change in clinical status."

ENA currently is working with the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to present a united and stalwart opposition to this misguided and potentially detrimental accreditation standard. All of these organizations recognize that Standard MM.4.10 does little more than slow the delivery of care in ED’s while providing no actual benefit to the patients we serve.

For more information regarding this issue, please read the joint ENA/AAEM/ACEP letter to the Joint Commission. It is available here for download.