The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo on October 24, 2008, clarifying the use of standing orders in hospitals. This memo, which clarifies an earlier memo issued in February 2008, states that although the order must be documented in the patient’s record and signed by the responsible practitioner, the timing of such documentation should not hinder effective emergency response, timely and necessary care, or other patient safety advances. Timely treatment can be provided to patients and the order can be signed by the physician at a later time. CMS also notes its intention to work with the professional community to develop an understanding of best practices and operational definitions as they pertain to standing orders, preprinted order sets, and effective methods to promote evidence-based medicine.

Liko North America, a manufacturer of safe lifting equipment, has produced a new toolkit designed to help health care workers with...

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