I am not sure I understand the context of “countersign” but if it is “orders” in a facility, certainly partners of the same group and specialty could sign off. In the academic environment, like-specialty attending would sign off on interns, residents and the like…not certain about fellows.
I can’t think of a scenario where differing specialties would co-sign an order…perhaps a “treatment plan” but rarely otherwise.
Concur with Dr. Billerbeck, and also suggest you check your By-Laws which should address this very specifically as these take into account various state, federal regulations. (Medical Staff Office = resource)
Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS
Manager, Regional Clinical Documentation & Coding Integrity Sutter West Bay 633 Folsom St., 7th Floor, Office 7-044 San Francisco, CA 94107 Cell: 415.412.9421
Comments
I can’t think of a scenario where differing specialties would co-sign an order…perhaps a “treatment plan” but rarely otherwise.
Just thoughts from my experience...
With Best Regards,
Robert Billerbeck, MD CPC
Meditco LLC
Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS
Manager, Regional Clinical Documentation & Coding Integrity
Sutter West Bay
633 Folsom St., 7th Floor, Office 7-044
San Francisco, CA 94107
Cell: 415.412.9421
evanspx@sutterhealth.org