Which of the following is allowed to admit patients to a hospital?

• A. Admitting clerk
• B. Hospital administrator
• C. Short-stay nurse
• D. Attending physician

Answer: (D)

Admission is a medical action that requires a physician’s authority and order. The physician who bears primary responsibility for the patient’s care—typically the attending physician—makes the decision to admit, assigns the service, and starts the initial plan of care. Support roles like admitting clerks handle the paperwork, hospital administrators oversee operations, and a short-stay nurse can assist with care, but none can initiate admission independently without a physician’s directive. Thus, the attending physician is the person authorized to admit a patient to the hospital.