Physician and Practitioner Orders, Including Verbal Orders
Sets out who may order care, who may take a verbal order, how verbal orders are read back, written, signed, dated, and timed, the Agency’s time frame for the practitioner to sign them, how faxed and electronic orders are protected, and what staff do when an order is unclear or cannot be carried out.
About this policy
- Policy number
- TX-HH-ORD-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 26 TAC §558.297
- Library
- Texas home health · 56 policies
- Category
- Clinical tasks
- Sections
- 18
In short
- Only RNs, and therapists for their own discipline, may take a verbal order. LVNs, aides, and office staff refer the caller to an RN.
- Write the order down, read it all back to the practitioner, and record that it was confirmed.
- Sign, date, and time the order, add it to the plan of care, and send it for signature the same business day.
- The practitioner must sign verbal orders within 14 days. The office follows up on any that are late.
- Check the fax number before sending orders. If a fax goes to the wrong place, tell the privacy officer right away.
What's inside
18 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (26 TAC §558.297)
- 5. Who May Order Care
- 6. Who May Receive a Verbal Order
- 7. Receiving and Recording a Verbal Order
- 8. Practitioner Signature on Verbal Orders
- 9. Written, Faxed, and Electronic Orders
- 10. Carrying Out Orders
- 11. Responsibilities
- 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 13. Staff Training
- 14. References
- 15. Related Policies and Forms
- 16. Approval
- 17. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Show me this verbal order. Who took it, when, and when did the physician sign it?
- What is your policy time frame for the practitioner to sign a verbal order, and how do you track unsigned orders?
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