Specifications

74 III For Providers
The EyePACS Handbook: Tools for Program Success
Standing Orders
Clinics can implement a standing order for all diabetic patients to receive retinopathy
screening as part of their clinic visit. Standing orders take the burden off of doctors and
can more fully integrate retinopathy screening into the workflow of the clinic, making it
easier for patients to get screened and ultimately making the program more successful.
Sample Standing Order Policy:
1. Purpose
To facilitate ordering of laboratory tests and referrals of patients with
Diabetes.
2. Policy
Medical assistants will have the standing orders for the care of Patients with
Diabetes. The Nursing policy and procedure manual will have a written list of
the activities that can be conducted under this policy.
3. Procedure
 Medical assistants will review the medical records of patients with
diabetes.
 The review can happen at the time of the visit or at a different time as
determined by the Nursing supervisor and/or the Clinicians.
 If the patient has not had an Hgb A1C in the past six months, request an
HgbA1C test from the laboratory.
 If the patient has not had a lipid profile checked in the last year, a lipid
profile will be ordered.
 Clinicians will receive the reports from the laboratory. Procedures will be
followed for results that are out of range.
 Patients with no documented referral to the dentist will be referred to
the dentist.
 Patients with no documented retinal exam in the last year will be
referred for retinal screening.
 Patients with no documented foot exam in the medical records will be
referred to the Podiatrist.
 A log will be maintained of tests requested and the results obtained.