Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Don't accept phone orders without following these tips:

Verbal/Telephone Orders Read Back Verification

• Verbal or phone orders for meds are a critical safety issue (second only to illegible handwriting)

• Know the JCAHO safety standard:

- Verbal/telephone order must be read back
- Receive order, write it out, read it back
- May want to have two people listen to unusual orders or complex orders

• Be aware of the problem with similar-sounding medications-If concerned spell back

• Document read back

- On order or in progress note

Source: Myra Peskowitz, RN, MBA. Used by written permission.