Dear Nancy,
Is it legal for nurses to accept a patient on a unit and give a diagnosis without contacting the physician?
Maureen
Dear Maureen,
Your facility has a policy and procedure for admitting patients into the hospital and on specific units and this policy should be followed without exception. It is assumed the policy includes the following: Patients are admitted upon an order of a healthcare provider who has admitting privileges (e.g., licensed physician, licensed advanced practice nurse, licensed oral surgeon), and who also provides the hospital staff with a diagnosis and any standing or other orders for the nursing staff to follow. The policy most probably also requires the nursing staff to notify the admitting healthcare provider when the patient is admitted. As a staff nurse, you do not have the authority to admit a patient and provide a diagnosis unless after all of the requirements of your policy are met, you make a nursing diagnosis. If you have not reviewed your institution's policy and procedure on admissions, you should do so. Other resources would be your nurse manager or CNO, or the admitting office. Be sure to get clarification on any concerns about the admission process so you can comply with its requirements.
