Ordering Vitals

This section gives steps to place an order directing staff to collect vitals with a certain frequency over a certain time period. To record vitals and measurements, staff should use the new Vitals package or the Vitals Lite interface in CPRS.

To enter a vitals order, follow these steps:

1. Select the Orders tab.

2. Select the active orders view from the View Orders pane

-or-

select View | Active Orders (includes pending, recent activity).

3. Select Vitals in the Write Orders list box.

The Vital Signs dialog appears.

Note: The vitals order may be labeled differently or may not be available from your Write Orders list.

Note: If encounter information has not been entered, the encounter information dialog will appear before the Vital Signs dialog. You must complete the encounter information dialog before proceeding.

4. Select a vital sign from the Vital Sign drop-down list.

5. Select a date and time from the Start Date/Time field by doing one of the following:

o entering a date (e.g. 6/21/01 or June 21, 2001).

o entering a date formula (e.g. t-200).

o pressing the button to bring up a calendar.

6. Enter a schedule in the Schedule field.

7. Select a stop date and time from the Stop Date/Time field by doing one of the following:

o entering a date (e.g. 6/21/01 or June 21, 2001).

o entering a date formula (e.g. t-200).

o pressing the button to bring up a calendar

8. Enter any special instructions in the Special Instructions field.

9. Select Accept Order.