Postmortem Care
After a patient dies, care includes preparing him for family viewing, arranging transportation to the morgue or funeral home, and determining the disposition of the patient’s belongings. In addition, postmortem care entails comfortin their privacy. Postmortem care usually begins after a doctor certifies the patient’s death. If the patient died violently or under suspicious circumstances, postmortem care may be postponed until the medical examiner completes an autopsy.
Equipment
Gauze or soft string ties ▪ gloves ▪ chin straps ▪ ABD pads ▪ cotton balls ▪ plastic shroud or body wrap ▪ three identification tags ▪ adhesive bandages to cover wounds or punctures ▪ plastic bag for patient’s belongings ▪ water-filled basin ▪ soap ▪ towels ▪ washcloths ▪ stretcher ▪ personal protective equipment.
A commercial morgue pack usually contains gauze or string ties, chin straps, a shroud, and identification tags.
Implementation
Notify the appropriate facility personnel, such as the nursing supervisor, that the patient has been pronounced dead.
Notify the clergyperson or social worker according to your facility’s policy if he hasn’t already been notified.
Notify your local organ procurement agency of the patient’s death, according to federal regulations and your facility’s policy.1
Provide privacy. Offer support to family members if they’re present.
Perform hand hygiene and put on gloves and other personal protective equipment according to standard precautions, or maintain isolation precautions if they were being used.2,3,4
Place the body in the supine position, with the arms at the sides and the head on a pillow. Then elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees to prevent discoloration from blood settling in the face.
If the patient wore dentures and your facility’s policy permits, gently insert them; then close the mouth. Close the eyes by gently pressing on the lids with your fingertips. If they don’t stay closed, place moist cotton balls on the eyelids for a few minutes, and then try again to close them. Place a folded towel under the chin to keep the jaw closed.
Remove all indwelling urinary catheters, tubes, and tape, and apply adhesive bandages to puncture sites, if the patient is not to have an autopsy performed. Replace soiled dressings.
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