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The Term Licensed Independent Practitioner Eliminated

Effective July 1, 2023, The Joint Commission is eliminating the term licensed independent practitioner for its home care and laboratory programs. The revisions are consistent with current terminology used by the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs). The updated terminology better reflects the full scope of practice of licensed practitioners allowed by their license and permitted by state and federal law and regulation while keeping the intent of the requirement.

The revisions streamline terminology and simplify elements of performance (EPs) by eliminating the detailed lists of individuals to whom the EPs apply. This primarily relates to the use of staff in the “Environment of Care” (EC), “Emergency Management (EM), “Infection Prevention and Control” (IC), “Life Safety” (LS) (home care only), and “Waived Testing” (WT) chapters. The term staff encompasses physicians, other licensed practitioners, students, volunteers, contract staff, and other staff when the EP does not address roles and responsibilities related to care, treatment, or services unless CoPs require further specification.

Prepublication Standards:

Prepublication Standards - Effective July 1, 2023