Verbal Orders - MD to RN to RN without Chart

[Multicollinearity]

MD gives a verbal order to an RN. That RN (#1) does not have the chart to note the verbal order. Another specialist has the chart. RN #1 gets busy and asks RN #2 to carry out the verbal order #1 received. Is this OK? I (RN #2) felt very strangely about this today. It seemed out of the chain of how things should be.

Granted, the order was only for 1 liter NS @ 500 ml/hour, but still?

[cb_rn]

How did RN #1 perform a verbal read back and verified by physician (a requirement in every facility I've ever worked in) if he didn't actually write said order down?

I second the posts calling for taking a blank order sheet and stamping it with patient's name for filing later. I know its a difficult spot for RN#2, esp given that RN#1 is her boss. RN#1 dropped the ball in my opinion.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

My last employer had a policy that verbal orders could only be given in life threatening emergencies. Wasn't strictly enforced, but was always there if a doc was abusing the verbal order ritual. "Sorry sir, could you put that in writing, and as soon as I get off the phone taking critical lab results, charting on 2 patients, sneaking sips of coffee (lunch) and answer the tech calling me down the hall, I'll take care of your orders."

[noregrets]

Verbal orders are not allowed by Joint Commission, telephone orders yes but not verbal when the MD is standing next to you. He/she should write the orders on an order sheet even when the chart is in use by someone else.