POST – MORTEM CARE

POST – MORTEM CARE

Care of the
body after death
(postmortem care) is an
essential component of
the total care of the
patient and surviving
family members and
friends.
 PURPOSES
Preparing the
patient for
viewing by the
family.
 PURPOSES
Ensuring proper
identification of the
patient prior to
transport to the morgue
or funeral home.
 PURPOSES
Providing
appropriate
disposition of the
patient's belongings.
 ASSESSMENT
1. Check vital functions and pronounce patient dead if permitted to do so,
notify physician and record time of death and time pronounced dead.
2. Notify the following:
◦ Attending physician
◦ Nursing supervisor
◦ Admitting or Census Department
◦ Appropriate Agency or Organ Procedures
◦ Medical Examiner
◦ Designated Mortician
 PLANNING
1. Plan for any special religious/cultural practices
desired by family.
2. Offer to transfer any other patients in room to
another location temporarily.
3. Wash hands.
4. Gather equipments.
 IMPLEMENTATION
1. Place “No visitor – Check at Nurses’ Station” sign
to door
2. Place body in supine position with bed flat.
3. Place pillow under head.
4. Close patient’s eyes.
5. Remove watch, jewelry and all possessions, give it
to the nearest relative
 IMPLEMENTATION
6. Put on clean gloves.
7. Place small towel under chin.
8. Remove IV and other tubes unless autopsy is to take place.
10. Remove soiled dressings, ostomy bags and replace them.
11. Wash soiled areas of body.
12. Place ABD’s (disposable pads) to the perineal area to absorb
any stool or urine released as the sphincter muscle relaxes.
13. Remove and discard gloves.
 IMPLEMENTATION
13. Put a clean gown on the patient.
14. Leave the wrist identifications band in place.
15. Attach a second identification tag to the ankle or great toe.
16. If the body is to be viewed, replace top linens and tidy the units.
17. Care for dentures and eye glasses, after viewing leave dentures in
patients mount or place them in a denture container.
Dentures and eyeglasses are sent to the morticians with the
body.
 IMPLEMENTATION
18. Gather personal effects and give to the family or
provide for safekeeping.
19. Wrap body and attach identification tag on outside, if
facility policy indicates.
20. Transport body to facility morgue or wait for the
arrival of the mortician.
21. Put away or dispose equipment and supplies used.
22. Wash your hands.
 EVALUATION
Evaluate using the following criteria.
1. Body cared for and transported
appropriately
2. All necessary notifications carried out.
3. Family able to carry out rituals, viewing, and
spend time with patient as desired.
Possessions were carefully handled.
 DOCUMENTATION
Document post mortem activities including:
◦Time of cessation of Vital Signs.
◦Persons notified and time of notification.
◦List and documentation of valuable and personal effects.
◦Time body removed from unit, destination and by whom
removed.
◦Other information required faculty.
 KEY TERMS
Algor mortis – reduction of body temperature
with loss of skin elasticity.
Livor mortis – discoloration of skin in
dependent areas
Rigor mortis – stiffening of the body,
developing within two to four hours of death.
QUIZ