How many hours after admission must written admission orders be signed by the physician?

In the context of Indiana state regulations and established guidelines for hospital procedures, written admission orders must be signed by the physician within 48 hours after the patient's admission. This timeline ensures that there is timely oversight and validation of the patient’s care plan, which is crucial for maintaining continuity and quality of care.

The rationale behind the 48-hour requirement stems from ensuring that patient admissions are promptly reviewed and managed by attending physicians, thereby minimizing the risk of miscommunication or oversight in the patient's treatment. The rules are designed to protect patient safety by ensuring that the physician’s orders reflect current evaluations and necessary interventions based on the patient's condition.

Following this framework, any options beyond the 48-hour mark, such as 72 hours, would be too lenient and could compromise patient care, while shorter durations like 24 or 36 hours do not align with best practices established in healthcare settings. Hence, the correct answer reflects the regulatory standard aimed at ensuring both promptness and rigor in patient management and safety.