266. What is the difference between medication orders and prescriptions?

A medication order is an order for administration of a drug or device to a patient in a hospital for administration while the patient is in the hospital or for emergency use on the patient’s release from the hospital, as defined by §551.003, Occupations Code and §481.002, Health and Safety Code.  A prescription is an order to dispense a drug or device to a patient for self-administration as defined by §551.003, Occupations Code.