Physician Orders, Verbal Orders and Coordination With Attending Physicians
Sets how medication and treatment orders are written, taken and signed under Rule 59A-38.004(3)(a)5., F.A.C.: medication orders dated and signed by a Florida-licensed physician with the drug, dosage, frequency and route; verbal orders taken only by a licensed health professional, recorded in the record and signed by the physician within the Agency’s time frame and never later than 30 calendar days after the order; how the Agency works with attending physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants; and how orders are coordinated across settings (42 CFR §418.56(e); §418.106(b)).
- Policy number
- FL-HSP-IDG-03
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- Rule 59A-38.004(3)(a)5., F.A.C.
- Library
- Florida hospice · 60 policies
- Category
- Hospice care
- Sections
- 19
In short
- Every medication order needs the drug, dose, how often and the route, dated and signed by a Florida-licensed physician.
- Only licensed staff (RN, LPN, pharmacist, physician) take verbal orders. Aides and volunteers never do.
- Read the whole order back, write it in the record at once, and update the plan of care and medicine list.
- The physician signs within 14 days, and never later than 30 calendar days.
- Tell the facility nurse about every new or changed order the same day.
What's inside
19 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (Rule 59A-38.004(3)(a)5., F.A.C.)
- 5. Who May Order and Who Signs
- 6. Content of Orders
- 7. Taking and Recording Verbal Orders
- 8. Getting Orders Signed
- 9. Working With Attending Physicians
- 10. Symptom Control Protocols
- 11. Orders Across Settings
- 12. Responsibilities
- 13. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 14. Staff Training
- 15. References
- 16. Related Policies and Forms
- 17. Approval
- 18. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Show me a verbal order in this record. Who took it, and when did the physician sign it?
- Who may take verbal orders for your patients?
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