Orders

Some patients reside at assisted living facilities or in group homes. Frequently I receive a long list of orders for a patient by fax or mail from such facilities. I cannot simply sign such orders. I have to review them in detail, and compare them with the patient's medical record. Often there are questions that I will have for the patient's caregivers.

In order to give adequate attention to such orders, and in order that I will have the caregivers available for questions while reviewing the orders, I only sign orders at patient visits.

Usually, the orders are needed on a quarterly basis. For this reason, patients who reside in group homes or assisted living facilities should simply see the doctor every 3 months, and bring the orders to be signed to each visit.