What is the first step in auditing chemotherapy and therapeutic drug administration?

The first step in auditing chemotherapy and therapeutic drug administration is to verify the order for the service. This is essential because the order confirms that the physician has appropriately indicated the need for the specific treatment based on the patient's diagnosis and condition. An effective audit starts with ensuring that the clinical services provided correspond to the physician's documented orders, which helps to establish the medical necessity and appropriateness of the treatment.

Verifying the order also ensures that the dosage, administration route, and frequency are all correctly outlined according to established guidelines or protocols. This step is crucial for maintaining compliance with regulatory guidelines and ensuring patient safety by confirming that the provider followed the correct treatment regimen as intended.

While determining the primary service, reviewing the patient’s history, and assessing medication interactions are also important aspects of a comprehensive audit, they typically follow the initial verification of the service order. Without ensuring there is a valid and documented order, the entire auditing process could be invalidated, as any treatment without a proper order raises questions about its legitimacy and appropriateness.