Agenda

1. Agenda • Giving Postmortem Care Notes • Student Activity • Ten Word Conclusion

2. Giving Postmortem Care Gabriela Portela Health Science 4A

3. What is Postmortem care? • Postmortem care is care given to the body immediately after death. • It begins when a physician has pronounced the patient dead.

4. Dealing with death as a HC worker • When a HC worker has cared for a patient over a period of time, they will feel grief and a sense of loss upon the patient’s death. • Its important for HC workers to try to control their emotions because family members will need their support.

5. Patient’s Rights • After patient is dead, their rights continue to apply after death. • The patient’s body should be treated with dignity and respect. • Privacy should be provided at all times.

6. Equipment and Supplies • Under pads/bed protectors • Basin • Towels • Washcloths • Personal inventory/valuableslists • Disposable gloves • Plastic waste bag • Pen or pencil • Postmortem kit: • Clean sheet • Gown • Tags • Gauze squares • Cotton balls • Safety pins

7. Procedure for Postmortem Care • Procedure for postmortem care varies in different facilities. • Know and follow the procedure established by your facility.

8. Preparing body to be viewed by family • Body should be prepared for viewing if family or friends are not present when death occurs, and want to view body before it is taken to morgue or funeral home.

9. Procedures to Give Postmortem Care • Obtain proper authorization and assemble equipment. • Identify the patient by checking the armband. • Close the door and screen the unit to provide privacy. • Wash hands. Put on gloves.

10. Procedures to Give Postmortem Care • Elevate bed, and lower the side rail where you are working. • Position the body laying flat on back, with the arms and legs straight. Place a pillow under the head and shoulders and elevate bed at 30 degrees. • If the eyes are open, close them by gently pulling eyelids over the eyes. Put a moist cotton ball on each eye if the eyes do not remain shut.

11. Procedures to Give Postmortem Care • Agency policies vary regarding dentures and chin straps. • Some agencies prefer that dentures should be replaced in mouth, others state that they should be placed in a denture cup. Some agencies use a chin strap to keep jaw shut while others are against the use of chin straps due to bruising or discoloration of the skin. There are a few agencies that use a towel under the chin to keep mouth closed.

12. Procedures to Give Postmortem Care • Remove soiled dressings, and replace with clean ones. At this point you’re going to also remove tubes. IVs, catheters, or drainage bags that are in place unless needed for autopsy. • Use warm water to clean any soiled body areas. Dry all areas thoroughly, and comb hair if needed.

13. Procedures to Give Postmortem Care • Place an underpador padding under buttocks at anal area. • Put a clean gown on body. • Jewelry is usually removed, listed on valuables list, and stored until signed for by a family member. A wedding ring is typically left on body, taped in place, and noted on chart.

14. Procedures to Give Postmortem Care • Fill out identification card/tag. Tag is usually placed on right ankle, or right big toe. • Place body in body bag. Use safety pins or tape to hold sheet in place. • Collect all belongings, and make a list. List is checked to ensure that all items are present. Attach identification card to bag or container that personal belongings are placed in.

15. Procedures to Give Postmortem Care • Obtain assistance and transfer body to a stretcher. Doors to other patient’s rooms should be closed and hallways should be emptying before transferring the body to morgue. • Return to unit. Strip linen from bed. Clean unit and equipment. • Wash hands. • Report and record all required information on chart.

16. Student Activity • Peer-Share-Out • Discussion between classmates on giving postmortem care. • Examples: • What part is most difficult • What you learned • Something you didn’t know

17. Ten word conclusion • In ten words, summarize what you learned today.

18. CITATIONS • Diversified Health Occupations, Seventh EditionBy: Louise Simmers, Karen Simmers-Nartker, Sharon Simmers-Kobelak