What does it mean to sign and hold an order?

When an order is signed and held, it means that the order has received the necessary authorization but will not become active until certain criteria are met, such as the patient's arrival at the next care stage. This status allows healthcare providers to prepare for the upcoming care needs without executing the order prematurely.

This approach can enhance workflow efficiency, ensuring that appropriate actions are taken at the right moment, minimizing confusion when patients transition through different stages of care. In this way, it effectively balances readiness and timing for patient interventions. Such a practice is common in healthcare settings where teams need to orchestrate care across various departments or service points.