Optimizing Order Intake: Strategies for Minimizing Verbal/Telephone Requests

what is the best way to reduce verbal/telephone orders

Optimizing Order Intake: Strategies for Minimizing Verbal/Telephone Requests. Optimizing,Order,Intake,Strategies,Minimizing,VerbalTelephone,Requests

What's the Best Way to Reduce Verbal/Telephone Orders?

Introduction

In today's fast-paced healthcare environment, it's more important than ever to find ways to streamline processes and improve efficiency. One area that can be particularly challenging is the management of verbal and telephone orders (VTOs).

What is the Best Way to Reduce Verbal/Telephone Orders?

There are a number of strategies that can be implemented to reduce the number of VTOs. These include:

Using electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs provide a secure and efficient way to electronically enter and transmit orders. This can help to reduce errors and improve communication between providers and other members of the care team.
Standardizing order sets. Order sets are pre-defined sets of orders that can be used for common procedures and conditions. This can help to reduce the amount of time it takes to enter orders and can also help to ensure that orders are complete and accurate.
Requiring verbal orders to be read back. This helps to ensure that the order is correct and that the provider is aware of all of the details of the order.
Using a telephone order entry system. This can help to streamline the process of entering telephone orders and can also help to reduce errors.
Educating providers about the importance of reducing VTOs. Providers need to be aware of the risks associated with VTOs and the benefits of using alternative methods of order entry.

Benefits of Reducing Verbal/Telephone Orders

There are a number of benefits to reducing the number of VTOs. These include:

Improved patient safety. VTOs are more likely to contain errors than written orders. This is because verbal orders can be difficult to understand and can be easily misheard or misinterpreted.
Increased efficiency. Reducing the number of VTOs can help to free up providers' time so that they can spend more time with patients.
Reduced costs. VTOs can be more expensive to process than written orders. This is because they require more time to enter and may require additional follow-up to ensure that they are correct.

Challenges to Reducing Verbal/Telephone Orders

There are a number of challenges to reducing the number of VTOs. These include:

Resistance from providers. Some providers may be resistant to change and may not be willing to adopt new methods of order entry.
Lack of resources. Some organizations may not have the resources to implement electronic order entry systems or other technologies that can help to reduce VTOs.
Patient preferences. Some patients may prefer to give verbal orders. This can be especially true for patients who are not comfortable with technology or who have difficulty writing.

Overcoming Challenges to Reducing Verbal/Telephone Orders

There are a number of ways to overcome the challenges to reducing VTOs. These include:

Involving providers in the decision-making process. Providers need to be involved in the planning and implementation of any changes to the way that orders are entered. This will help to ensure that they are on board with the changes and that they are willing to cooperate.
Providing training and support to providers. Providers need to be trained on how to use new technologies and methods of order entry. They also need to be given ongoing support to help them to make the transition.
Working with patients to find alternative ways to give orders. Patients who are not comfortable with written orders can be given the option of using other methods of order entry, such as electronic order entry or telephone order entry.

Conclusion

Reducing the number of VTOs is an important step towards improving patient safety, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs. There are a number of strategies that can be implemented to reduce VTOs, and it is important to tailor the approach to the specific needs of the organization. By working together, providers, patients, and administrators can create a system that is safe, efficient, and easy to use.

FAQs

What are the risks of verbal/telephone orders?

Verbal/telephone orders are more likely to contain errors than written orders. This is because verbal orders can be difficult to understand and can be easily misheard or misinterpreted.

What are the benefits of reducing verbal/telephone orders?

Reducing the number of verbal/telephone orders can improve patient safety, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.

What are the challenges to reducing verbal/telephone orders?

The challenges to reducing verbal/telephone orders include resistance from providers, lack of resources, and patient preferences.

How can the challenges to reducing verbal/telephone orders be overcome?

The challenges to reducing verbal/telephone orders can be overcome by involving providers in the decision-making process, providing training and support to providers, and working with patients to find alternative ways to give orders.

What is the best way to reduce verbal/telephone orders?

The best way to reduce verbal/telephone orders is to use a combination of strategies, which may include using electronic health records (EHRs), standardizing order sets, requiring verbal orders to be read back, using a telephone order entry system, and educating providers about the importance of reducing VTOs.