Use of Nurse Implemented Order Sets

Revised September 2025
Reaffirmed January 2017
Originally approved June 2010


The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recognizes the practice of utilizing nurse implemented order sets. These sets are predetermined collections of departmental orders initiated based upon nursing assessment of the patient and are consistent with high-quality emergency care, enhanced patient safety and satisfaction. Any hospital or health system that uses nurse protocol ordering in the ED should also have a protocol in place for managing results, documentation, and follow up.

It is the position of the College that the use of such order sets does not create a physician-patient relationship.