Pharmacy Question for the Week of July 24, 2017

Question:

Does Medicare have any guidelines for hospital standing orders for medication administration?

Answer:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last updated the survey guidelines for medication administration guidance for the Medicare State Operations Manual for Hospitals in December 2011. It now includes requirements for facility use of standing orders for medication administration.

If the hospital uses standing orders, it must have current policies and procedures that address “the process by which a standing order is developed; approved; monitored; initiated by authorized staff; and subsequently authenticated by physicians or practitioners responsible for the care of the patient.”