Metric measurements of patient height (in cm only) and weight (in kg only ).

Patient allergies (including food allergies) and associated reaction in a format where the allergy and reaction appear next to one another.Provides prompts in a designated standard location (top of the form preferred) to gather and document patient information.Uses an easy-to-read, standard 12-point sans serif font such as Arial.Includes an identification/tracking number and date of approval/revision (and signature of chairperson from approving committee/team if required by the organization).Adheres to a consistent facility template regarding placement and format of prompts for documenting the date and time of the order, including how the date (e.g., month, day, year) and time (e.g., 24-hour clock) should be documented/displayed.Provides adequate space between numbers used to sequence orders and the actual orders themselves (to prevent misinterpretation of the number as part of the order, such as a medication dose).Provides adequate space between the medication name and dose (e.g., “propranolol 20 mg, not propranolol20 mg, which may look like 120 mg), and between the numerical dose and unit of measure (e.g., 3 units, not 3Units, which can look like 30 units).Uses “OR” to indicate when choices between products must be made and includes specific guidance regarding that choice.Lists the most common or preferred drug, strength, and dose first, if multiple drugs, strengths, and doses are available from which to choose.Avoids listing products with look-alike names near each other.Includes the name of the drug and dose/strength on the same line/entry.Uses separate lines/entries for each medication order multiple orders do not appear on one line or within a single entry.Separates orders into logical groupings of treatment, procedure, and medication orders.Uses a standard method (e.g., check boxes, circling) for prescribers to activate/select desired orders that minimizes confusion regarding how inactivated/unselected orders are to be interpreted (e.g., yes/no check boxes may be problematic regarding correct interpretation if the physician checks neither the yes nor no option with paper order sets, a single box to check-activate-an order may be less error-prone).Includes directions for completing the order set at the top of the form/screen.Differentiates similar order sets employed for similar conditions (e.g., different heparin order sets based on various clinical conditions).Identifies the order set name at the top of the form/screen and, as appropriate, specifies the targeted patient population (e.g., adult, pediatric, neonatal, adult oncology).Follows an official standard format that has been approved by an appropriate interdisciplinary committee (e.g., pharmacy and therapeutics committee, safety committee, forms committee).ISMP recommends using this checklist to guide the design and evaluation of standard order sets before granting approval for use. The guidelines focus primarily on medication orders within order sets but also cover general aspects related to the design, approval, and maintenance of all standard order sets. The ISMP Guidelines for Standard Order Sets has been developed to help organizations ensure that the elements of safe order communication have been followed when designing paper-based or electronic order sets. However, if standard order sets are not carefully designed, reviewed, and maintained to reflect best practices and ensure clear communication, they may actually contribute to errors. Reduce unnecessary calls to physicians for clarifications and questions about orders.Reduce the potential for medication errors through integrated safety alerts and reminders.

Enhance workflow with pertinent instructions that are easily understood, intuitively organized, and suitable for direct application to current information-management systems.Reduce variation and unintentional oversight through standardized formatting and clear presentation of orders.Modify practice through evidence-based care.Integrate and coordinate care by communicating best practices through multiple disciplines, levels of care, and services.

Well-designed standard order sets-both electronic and paper formats-have the potential to:

Doctors orders