Medicines Management Policy - Dudley Primary Care Trust

12. Verbal orders for the Administration of Medication
It is recognised that in extreme circumstances it may be necessary to accept
verbal instructions about medication.
12.1 Verbal Prescriptions via Telephone
12.1.1 Verbal instructions from a doctor to adjust the dose of a medicine may be
accepted by a Registered Nurse in exceptional circumstances. In very rare
circumstances a verbal instruction may be accepted to initiate a medicine. If
possible a fax or email should be used to confirm the prescription.
A verbal message cannot be accepted to initiate a Controlled Drug; however a
request to increase the dose may be acceptable in exceptional circumstances.
For increasing the dose of a syringe driver see section 21.
12.1.2 The nurse must record on the patient/client’s records
i) the name of the prescriber
ii) the details of the instruction
iii) the date and time of the order
iv) an indication that it is a verbal instruction
This record must be annotated "TELEPHONE ORDER" and signed by the
nurse. It is good practice for a second member of staff to listen to the doctor
repeating the instructions.
12.1.3 The instructions should be read back to the Doctor, in the presence of a second
registered nurse or other healthcare professional if possible, confirming the
patient/client's name and registration number and the name and dosage of the
medicine.
The details of the verbal order must be entered in the patient/client’s records
and signed by the nurse receiving the verbal order and the second nurse if one
is involved.
12.1.4 The nurse receiving the verbal order must administer the medicine in
accordance with the procedures for drug administration.
12.1.5 It is the prescriber’s responsibility to provide written confirmation of the verbal
request as soon as practicable but within 24 hours in all circumstances.
12.1.6 Only one dose of any drug can be given - subsequent doses should not be
given without a written prescription from a doctor.
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