Medication Administration - Range Orders
Does The Joint Commission prohibit the use of 'range' or 'double-range' orders?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
No, there are no Joint Commission standards that prohibit the use of range orders as long as such orders are permitted by the organization's medication management policy (see MM.04.01.01). In addition, range orders may be a component of other order types, such as taper orders and titration orders, unless prohibited by organizational policy.
The glossary of the accreditation manual describes a 'range order' as "Orders in which the dose or dosing interval varies over a prescribed range, depending on the situation or the individual's status."
Compliance with applicable law/regulation, recommendations from professional organizations (state pharmacy boards, ISMP, etc) and evidence-based resources should be incorporated into applicable policies, procedures, etc.
No, there are no Joint Commission standards that prohibit the use of range orders as long as such orders are permitted by the organization's medication management policy (see MM.04.01.01). In addition, range orders may be a component of other order types, such as taper orders and titration orders, unless prohibited by organizational policy.
The glossary of the accreditation manual describes a 'range order' as "Orders in which the dose or dosing interval varies over a prescribed range, depending on the situation or the individual's status."
Example of range orders may be:
- Hydromorphone 2mg tablets 1 – 2 tablets PO every 4 hours prn mild pain.
- Morphine 2 mg to 4 mg IV every 4 hours prn severe pain.
Example of a double-range order may be:
- Hydromorphone 2mg tablets 1 – 2 tablets PO every 4 – 6 hours prn mild pain.
- Morphine 2 mg to 4 mg IV every 4 - 6 hours prn severe pain.
Compliance with applicable law/regulation, recommendations from professional organizations (state pharmacy boards, ISMP, etc) and evidence-based resources should be incorporated into applicable policies, procedures, etc.
Manual:
Assisted Living Community
Chapter:
Medication Management MM
First published date: September 12, 2017
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on October 21, 2021