What does releasing signed and held orders do?

Releasing signed and held orders serves to acknowledge the orders within the system. When an order has been signed and held, it indicates that it has been reviewed and is ready for processing. By releasing these orders, the system recognizes that the orders have been validated and are authorized for the next steps in patient care. This action ensures that the orders can be carried out by the appropriate medical or administrative personnel, facilitating timely care for the patient.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of releasing signed and held orders. For instance, orders do not disappear from the system upon release; rather, they transition to a state where they can be executed. Releasing these orders does not inherently require a clinician’s signature at the point of release since they would have already been signed prior to this action. Additionally, while it is important to keep patients informed, releasing the orders does not specifically necessitate direct communication with the patient as part of the process.