Final answer:
The inpatient admission certification form must be signed by the admitting or attending physician, although in some instances, a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant with the appropriate authority may also sign it, depending on state laws and hospital policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inpatient admission certification form is typically a document that requires the signature of a licensed practitioner who has admitting privileges and is responsible for the care of the patient. According to standard hospital protocols, the admitting or attending physician is usually the one to sign off on this form. However, depending on state laws and hospital policies, other licensed practitioners such as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) acting as the family physician or a Physician Assistant (PA) working as the Hospitalist may have the authority to admit patients and thus could potentially sign the admission certification form as well. A consulting specialist may be involved in the care of the patient but typically does not sign the inpatient admission form unless they are assuming the role of attending physician.
Before the induction of anesthesia, it is critical that team members, including the nurse and an anesthesia professional, orally confirm patient details and surgery plans. Post-operatively, a review by the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional of the key concerns for recovery and care is also essential to ensure continuity and quality of patient care.