noahsmama

I guess I'm wondering why you find it necessary to do these things without a doctor's order? Are the doctors that slow in responding that you can't get the order you need in a timely fashion? When I worked in a hospital (I'm in public health now), doctors were generally very good about responding to pages, especially since we had the option of sending a text page, in which I could explain exactly what I needed and why. If I had a pt in respiratory distress, I could get an order for a stat X-Ray and ABG within minutes. And nurses weren't allowed to enter an order for X-rays or labs -- there was no way I could enter it into the computer even if I wanted to, and the lab would not do any tests unless a doctor had ordered it.
I could see saving a stool sample without an MD's order, but I would ask for the order before submitting the sample to the lab. What if the doctors want to test for other things besides C-diff?
Since we weren't allowed to take verbal orders except in emergencies, I wouldn't even give a med, even if I had spoken to the doctor and they had assured me they would enter the written order, until the order actually came up -- if I had to call the doctor again to remind them to enter the order, so be it.
I only worked in a hospital for a short period (1.5 years), but I don't think I ever once during that time did anything that required a doctor's order without actually having the order. To do otherwise is to risk losing your license, and why in heavens name would you want to do that?