Definition—Many orders are routinely followed with others. For example, much of the time you will order a urine culture and sensitivity (C&S) when you discontinue a urinary catheter. The C&S is considered a consequent order. Order Entry anticipates many of these orders and asks if you want them after you complete the original order.
Automatic Consequent Orders—Some consequent orders are generated automatically, and do no require any action by the ordering clinician beyond writing the original order.
Multiple Consequent Orders—More than one order may be offered at the consequent order prompt. If the prompt includes a checkbox to the left of each order, you must click to select one order before continuing. If no checkboxes are displayed, then all of the orders are written automatically when you accept the prompt to order. For instructions on responding to prompts for optional consequent orders:
Required Orders—Some consequent orders are optional, offered as suggestions in response to the original order. One type of consequent order prompt, however, does require that an order be selected. The option to defer may be offered; in any case, you must click to check one order to continue ordering. See Selecting Required Consequent Orders
Finding Consequent Orders—Until you sign the session, consequent orders are listed on three scratch pads—the order type for the original order (General Care in this example), its own order type (in the example, Laboratory), and Orders For This Session. After you sign the session, a consequent order is listed only under its own order type.
Editing—To edit a consequent order (signed or unsigned), select it on the scratch pad for its own order type (in the example, Laboratory), then click Edit (ALT+E).
Deleting Orders Before Signing—Deleting an original order before it is signed automatically removes its consequent orders from the session. To delete an order and its consequent order(s), select the original order on the Orders For This Session list, then click Delete (ALT+D).
Discontinuing Original and Consequent Orders—When you discontinue an order that has associated consequent orders, you are prompted to select which, if any, of the consequent orders should also be discontinued. See Discontinuing Consequent Orders.