the care given once death has occurred through transfer to a funeral provider.
POST MORTEM CARE
largely focused on family care on survivors who are often greatly affected by events surrounding by the family member’s death.
POST MORTEM CARE
Cleaning and preparing the patient’s body for viewing by the family
PURPOSES OF POST MORTEM CARE
Ensuring proper identification of the patient prior to transportation to the morgue or funeral home
PURPOSES OF POST MORTEM CARE
Providing appropriate disposition of patient’s belongings
Maintaining vital organs, if donation is planned
PURPOSES OF POST MORTEM CARE
- Absence of Carotid pulse
- Pupils are fixed and dilated
- Absent heart sounds
- Absent breath sounds
PRONOUNCEMENT OF DEATH
- Pallor Mortis
- Algor Mortis
- Rigor Mortis
- Putrefaction
STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION
- Paleness of death
- Almost immediately after death a body of a person with light skin will begin to grow very pale
Pallor Mortis
- Cool of death
- After a death a human body will no longer be working to keep warm, and as a result will start cooling
Algor Mortis
Caused by a lacked of blood in the capillary.
Pallor Mortis
- Death stiffness
- About 3hrs after death a chemical change in the muscle of a patient will become difficult to move.
Rigor Mortis
Decomposition of proteins in a process that results in the eventual breakdown of cohesion between tissues and the liquefaction of most organs.
Putrefaction
- Verify that the patient has been pronounced dead by the physician.
- Identify cadaver and collect his/her belongings for labeling.
Assessment
Collect all necessary equipment:
o Bathing supplies
o Shroud or morgue bag
o 3 identification tag
o Roll of gauge
o Paper / plastic bag for belongings
o Morgue Cart
Planning
- If there are visitors in the room , explain the situation
- Allow the family to grieve and be with the patient.
Special Consideration
Responsible for notifying the attending provider
Nursing Care (Post Mortem)
Responsible for several post-mortem tasks, including final documentation care and final disposition of the body and providing support to the family.
Nursing Care (Post Mortem)
The nurse must also take time for self care as these responsibilities can be draining.
Nursing Care (Post Mortem)
- Maintain proper alignment of the body.
- If possible, place dentures in the mouth.
- Remove any external object causing pressure or injury to the skin
- Follow hospital policy
- Clean the body as needed
Implementation:
- Close the eyes
- If the family is to visit the deceased provide clean linen and gown to patient
- Prepare the equipment used for cleansing
- ID tags- toe wrist and morgue bag
Implementation:
