Death Doula/Nursing orders question

[oconneem, ASN, BSN]

I am a death doula and RN.  Wondering if anyone knows if I have a private client who has a hospice team, can I administer medication under the hospice MD's orders?  Do I need some type of affiliation with that hospice?  I am in Utah.

 

Thanks! Any info is helpful

[MunoRN, RN]

2 hours ago, oconneem said:

I am a death doula and RN.  Wondering if anyone knows if I have a private client who has a hospice team, can I administer medication under the hospice MD's orders?  Do I need some type of affiliation with that hospice?  I am in Utah.

 

Thanks! Any info is helpful

You should also check with your malpractice / license defense provider, but generally speaking you wouldn't technically be "administering" these medications, you would be assisting with self-administration.

It's fairly common for outpatient hospice to not be there around the clock, so medications are left with the patient and their caregivers (most commonly unlicensed family or other support).  While they might help the patient take their medications, even to the point where the patient is not able to engage in self-administering in any way, it's an important legal distinction that they are assisting with self-administration rather than administering. 

This becomes particularly important when the medications in question are controlled substances.  As an independently employed caregiver for the patient you want to ensure that it remains clear that the controlled substances provided by hospice are not in your possession but remain in the possession of the patient and hospice with your role simply being to help the patient take their medications.