Death in the Home, Pronouncement of Death and Post-Death Care
Sets how the Agency prepares families for an expected death, responds when a death is reported, who may determine and pronounce death in Georgia without an attending physician and on which form, when the coroner or medical examiner must be told, who certifies the cause of death, notifications, care of the body, controlled substance disposal, reports to the Department and support for families and staff.
About this policy
- Policy number
- GA-HSP-DTH-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-37-.18(4)
- Library
- Georgia hospice · 60 policies
- Category
- Hospice care
- Sections
- 25
In short
- Only an RN, nurse practitioner or physician assistant employed by the Agency may pronounce death, on the state pronouncement form.
- Contracted nurses, LPNs, aides and volunteers do not pronounce. Stay with the family and wait for the pronouncer.
- If the death might be from violence, a fall or other accident, suicide, overdose or is sudden or suspicious, do not move anything and call the coroner.
- An RN never certifies the cause of death. The physician, APRN or PA in charge does that within 72 hours.
- Offer to dispose of controlled drugs after the death, with a witness, and record it.
What's inside
25 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-37-.18(4); O.C.G.A. §31-7-176.1)
- 5. Preparing for an Expected Death
- 6. When a Death Is Reported
- 7. Determination and Pronouncement of Death
- 7.1 Who may pronounce
- 7.2 Determining death
- 7.3 The pronouncement form
- 7.4 If no authorized pronouncer can attend
- 8. Deaths the Coroner Must Be Told About
- 9. Notifications After Death
- 10. The Death Certificate
- 11. Care of the Body and the Family
- 12. Controlled Substances After Death
- 13. After the Death: Records, Family and Staff
- 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
- Who in your agency may pronounce death, and on what form?
- Show me the pronouncement form and the visit note for this patient’s death.
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