At the time of admission, nursing facilities must obtain physician orders covering the resident's immediate care needs, including at minimum dietary requirements, medications if needed, and routine care to maintain or improve functional abilities. These orders bridge the gap between admission and completion of a comprehensive assessment and interdisciplinary care plan. This is a federal nursing facility (long-term care) requirement under 42 CFR §483.20(a).
View official sourceF635 (Rev. 173, Issued: 11-22-17, Effective: 11-28-17, Implementation: 11-28-17) §483.20(a) Admission orders At the time each resident is admitted, the facility must have physician orders for the resident’s immediate care. INTENT §483.20(a) To ensure each resident receives necessary care and services upon admission. GUIDANCE §483.20(a) “Physician orders for immediate care” are those written and/or verbal orders facility staff need to provide essential care to the resident, consistent with the resident’s mental and physical status upon admission to the facility. These orders should, at a minimum, include dietary, medications (if necessary) and routine care to maintain or improve the resident’s functional abilities until staff can conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop an interdisciplinary care plan.