Effective January 3, 2018, The Joint Commission (TJC) has revised its standards to no longer require TJC-accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory care organizations to credential and privilege pathologists that provide diagnostic services through reference laboratories. TJC Introduction to Leadership Standard LD.04.03.09 generally requires that each hospital, critical access hospital or ambulatory care organization credential and privilege all licensed independent practitioners from whom it receives laboratory services under a contractual relationship. A new exception has been added to the general rule to state that the hospital, critical access hospital …