What determines if an order is signed or signed and held?

The signing action is the key determinant in deciding if an order is categorized as signed or signed and held. When a physician signs an order, it means they have authorized it for execution. However, a signed and held order indicates that while the order is signed, it is not yet active or in effect due to specific instructions or conditions that prompt the order to be paused or held for future review or execution. This may involve scenarios where additional information is required from the patient's condition or related parameters before proceeding.

Considering the context of the question, while aspects such as order priority, patient condition, and physician availability can influence clinical decision-making, they do not specifically define the status of an order regarding whether it is simply signed or marked as signed and held. The nature of the signing action, its timing, and any specific instructions that accompany it are what ultimately clarify the order's active status or any temporary hold placed on it.