Learning outcomes
By the end of this section, you should know how to:
▪ care for a deceased person.
Background knowledge required
Indications and rationale for care of a deceased person
Before transfer to the mortuary or undertaker’s premises, a deceased patient requires care that may be delivered by a professional carer, an undertaker or the appropriate person identified by the spiritual beliefs of the deceased. This care may also be referred to as the ‘Last Offices’.
Equipment1. Disposable gloves
2. Equipment as for ‘Personal Hygiene’ (seep. 259)
3. Equipment as for ‘Mouth Care’ (seep. 205)
4. Incontinence pad or disposable napkin
5. Dressing pack
6. Waterproof dressing for open wounds if necessary
7. Hypoallergenic tape
8. Shroud
9. Two patient identification bands
10. Patient identification cards and/or notification of death cards appropriately completed with the patient’s full name and other details as requested
11. Mortuary sheet or clean white sheet
12. Gauze bandage
13. Trolley for equipment
14. Receptacle for patient’s clothing
15. Patient clothing list book
16. Patient valuables list book
17. Receptacle for patient’s valuables
18. Receptacle for soiled linen
19. Receptacle for soiled disposable items.
Guidelines and rationale for this nursing practiceDetails of the practice can vary according to the patient’s cultural background and religious practice, therefore awareness of specific requirements prior to, during or after death is essential (Roper et al 2000, McGhee 2002). A patient who dies suddenly and unexpectedly will require a post-mortem examination (Scottish Executive 2003).
Hand washing should take place before commencing and on completion of the practice.
▪ inform the medical practitioner when a patient is thought to have died to confirm the diagnosis of death and comply with the legal requirements before the issue of a death certificate. A senior nurse who is appropriately trained may also be permitted to verify the death of a patient or resident within the agreed local policy (Dimond 2004)
▪ ensure the patient’s privacy and the privacy of the relatives to prevent further distress to those persons present
▪ ensure that the patient’s relatives, if they are not present, are notified of the death. This will allow the expressed wishes of the deceased to be implemented and funeral arrangements to be initiated
▪ ensure relatives are adequately and kindly informed about immediate practicalities (Scottish Executive 2003, Department of Health 2005)
▪ assist and support bereaved relatives as the professional carer is in a key position at this time (Roper et al 2000)
▪ inform the charge nurse or deputy and portering staff or, in the patient’s home, assist the carer to contact the undertaker to make the initial arrangements for the transfer of the body to the mortuary or undertaker’s premises
▪ collect and prepare the equipment to ensure all the equipment is available
▪ wash the hands, apply an apron and gloves to reduce the potential of cross infection (Jeanes 2005)
▪ remove all the upper bed linen, leaving a sheet to cover the patient to give easy access to the body
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