What is a signed and held order?

A signed and held order refers to an authorized order that is acknowledged and signed by the provider but has not yet been executed or set into motion. This type of order typically requires further conditions or approvals before it can be acted upon. It is important in clinical settings to distinguish between orders that are merely authorized and those that are ready to be processed immediately.

This understanding is crucial in managing patient care effectively, as it helps keep track of which orders are pending activation and which may require additional steps before they are implemented. While the other options describe different aspects of order management, they do not accurately capture the nature of a signed and held order.