Scenario: If a physician writes an order, thusly: "Discontinue all antibiotics when blood culture is negative x 48 hours."
This order is written around the 24 hour mark (24 hours before it can legitimately be carried out).
The pharmacy will not accept "when" or "if" orders.
When the labs come back negative at 48 hours, would it be correct/safe/legitimate/whatever for the nurse to write a 2nd order to be faxed to pharmacy to get these meds stopped and off the mar? Without calling the physician for a new, distinct order?
What, if any, is the correct way to handle this situation at your facility/state/country?
Featured Replies
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later.
If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Scenario: If a physician writes an order, thusly: "Discontinue all antibiotics when blood culture is negative x 48 hours."
This order is written around the 24 hour mark (24 hours before it can legitimately be carried out).
The pharmacy will not accept "when" or "if" orders.
When the labs come back negative at 48 hours, would it be correct/safe/legitimate/whatever for the nurse to write a 2nd order to be faxed to pharmacy to get these meds stopped and off the mar? Without calling the physician for a new, distinct order?
What, if any, is the correct way to handle this situation at your facility/state/country?