I have some insight on this subject as I served on the group who put KAPER together. Problem 1, two state groups who are regulating something they have no credentialing experience Those entities, Dept. of Insurance and Cab. of Health & Family Services. The parties at the table were all self serving in their interests; Med. Grp Manager for their view point, KHA, thinking they had the opinion of all hospitals, GLMS/KMA who had provides in mind and us, KAMSS, who where the only representatives with credentialing standards in mind.
The most recent changes have come from individuals who had their own idea what of should be on an application and two state departments who didn't know better than to send a notice for review and adop into law. That said, KAPER is a state mandated application that with all good intent, the regulators, experienced or not, intend for the most recent version to be use.
Poits to consider:
1. The most important thing to remember here is that each entitie's regulator or regulators, TJC, AAA, etc., etc., will require you to follow the most recent state regulation. Surveyors may read the state requirement as to use the most recent version of the app. They will side on the state but will push their opinion.
2. The real purpose of this app is to have a standardized application that providers can use to apply for or be granted privileges. The app your providing the provider is the issue with the state, keep it "standardized".
3. And finally to answer the origianl post here and on the side of the credentialing entity, once you have the data you need to process your applicant, that's all that matters. You can do what you choose with the data and how you store it, process it, evaluate it, as long as it is for the purpose of credentialing and for the purpose protecting the general public.