Death in the Home, Pronouncement of Death and Post-Death Care
Sets out what the Agency does when a patient dies at home or in a residence: the nurse visit, determination and pronouncement of an expected death by a registered nurse, when the coroner must be notified, the death certificate duties of the attending physician or nurse practitioner, notifications, respectful post-death care and release to the funeral home, disposal of controlled substances, equipment pickup, the bereavement handoff, and the discharge-by-death summary completed within 30 days.
About this policy
- Policy number
- CA-HSP-DTH-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 22 CCR §74892(w)(2)
- Library
- California hospice · 60 policies
- Category
- Hospice care
- Sections
- 21
In short
- Families call the Agency, not 911, when a patient dies. A registered nurse visits, usually within two hours.
- Only a registered nurse or physician pronounces death. LVNs, aides and volunteers stay with the family and call the nurse.
- Call the coroner before anything is moved if the death followed a fall or injury, suicide or harm is suspected, or no hospice nurse or physician saw the patient in the last 20 days.
- Tell the attending physician or nurse practitioner right away. They must complete the death certificate within 15 hours.
- Complete the discharge-by-death summary, and finish and sign the whole record within 30 days.
What's inside
21 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (22 CCR §§74892(w)(2), 74896(m); Health & Safety Code §7180)
- 5. When the Family Calls
- 6. Determination and Pronouncement of Death
- 7. Death Certificate
- 8. When the Coroner Must Be Notified
- 9. Notifications
- 10. Care After Death
- 11. Controlled Substances and Equipment
- 12. Bereavement Handoff
- 13. Discharge by Death Summary and Record Completion
- 14. Responsibilities
- 15. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 16. Staff Training
- 17. References
- 18. Related Policies and Forms
- 19. Approval
- 20. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Walk me through what happens when a family calls to say the patient has died.
- Who may pronounce death for your patients, and how is it documented?
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