What is the term for an order written by a prescriber for a patient in a hospital or other inpatient setting?

The term used for an order written by a prescriber for a patient in a hospital or other inpatient setting is referred to as a medication order. This terminology is specific in the context of inpatient care, where medication orders guide the administration of drugs to patients within the hospital.

Medication orders are distinct from prescriptions, which are typically used for outpatient settings where patients take medications at home. In an inpatient environment, medication orders provide detailed instructions on dosages, administration routes, and scheduling specifically tailored for patients who are under continuous medical supervision.

Dispensing orders are often associated with the process of preparing and providing medication but do not encapsulate the comprehensive instructions that a medication order entails in a hospital setting. Authorization orders might be used in various contexts but do not specifically pertain to the administration of medications like a medication order does.

Thus, 'medication order' is the most accurate and appropriate term for describing the document that directs the administration of medications to hospitalized patients.