Review of Hospital Policies Reveals Shortfalls in Verbal Orders Processes

Hospital policies regarding verbal and telephone orders may be insufficient, according to research published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.

For their study, researchers analyzed a random sample of verbal and telephone order policy documents at hospitals across the country. Their analysis showed significant variance in policies, including personnel authorized to give or take verbal orders and time allowed for the prescriber to cosign the verbal order.

 



The researchers also found some hospital policies lacked a review process in instances where verbal orders were given by a non-physician. The researchers suggested using a computerized medical record and ordering system to reduce the need for verbal orders. They also emphasized the need to review and update hospital verbal order policies to ensure patient safety.

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