nurses writing admission orders

I work rehab--we review the referral from the hospital, call the MD, read the orders and take down any changes or additions and write it out as a TO

e.g. "Admit to Medicare certified bed for SNO, SNS & SRS. Expected length of stay not to exceed 30 days. All orders verified with Dr. Jones c the following modifications: blah blah blah T.O. Dr. Jones/NurseKatie08."

We also have templates on our computer system for common orders such as tylenol, bowel protocol etc, and ask the doc if those can be added. I don't see anything wrong with taking a T.O. for admission orders---in my setting, the doctors are not always in house, so there is no other way for us to proceed with an admit besides calling them. Obviously, if the nurse is making up orders on their own, that is a problem.

I don't see any problems, so long as no meds or treatments are given until the orders are verified with a doctor.

Before a resident is admitted, we required a signed PPOC and discharge summary which lists scheduled medications, PRNs and what therapies the MD wants. It also lists BP and blood sugar parameters. Then we call if something needs to be clarified. This is all done before the resident is released from the hospital to our facility.

Right on!