Hospice runner

Never heard of a hospice runner.

Me either. Please explain.

A runner is the RN that is sent to see the patient by the triage nurse.

I can't exactly pinpoint why, but the terms a bit demeaning.

One, the term seems rather demeaning as my hospice experience is that our "runner" was an unpaid volunteer who ran from the hospice house to the main hospital for supplies if we ran out before house keeping or pharmacy came to restock. (e.g. I as a volunteer I could be sent for things like more linens, cleaning supplies, or non-controlled medications).

Two, I think this is probably an issue of organization policy as to who requests orders. I would think that the RN in the field taking the assessment should be able to contact the provider and make a request, but it is probably best not to assume if you don't know.

I can't exactly pinpoint why, but the terms a bit demeaning.

I immediately equated 'runner' with 'courier.'

No shame in being a courier, but to equate a professional hospice nurse to a courier...kinda leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

If the nurse that's dispatched is an RN, I can't imagine why that nurse wouldn't be the one to call the MD. To dispatch someone to then assess, then communicate the assessment to the triage nurse who contacts the MD and gets orders and then contacts the nurse making the visit who implements the order is just begging for errors. And I'm assuming this MD doesn't just rubber stamp the orders he or she is being contacted for; what happens when the MD has questions?