To the Editor:

I read with interest the article, “Using Standardized Admit Orders to Improve Inpatient Care” [November/December 1999].

As residents, we were told it was “lazy” to use standardized orders, but in rural private practice, where some of these high-risk conditions are seen only once every several months to several years, standardized orders are definitely an important safety tool for our patients. They're also a great starting point for any work-up. Thanks for sharing!

Editor's note:

For copies of the 27 standardized admit orders developed by Robert Wiprud, MD, and his colleagues at Scott & White Clinic, College Station, Texas, visit https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2006/0900/p49.html.

The orders cover such conditions as acute epiglottis, diabetic ketoacidosis, HIV pneumonia and postpartum endometritis.