In recent months, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations ("JCAHO") has issued a series of revisions to and clarifications of 2005 Hospital Standard MS.1.20 concerning the structure and content of medical staff bylaws. JCAHO’s guidance appeared in the form of two "E-Mail Blasts" from the accrediting body – one on September 29, 2004 and another on October 21, 2004. With these publications, JCAHO has placed in doubt the continuing prerogative of hospitals and their medical staffs to address topics such as credentialing and fair hearing procedures in policies distinct from the core medical staff bylaws document. As published, the September and October Guidance require compliance with the revised Standard MS.1.20 no later than January 1, 2006.

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