Death in the Home, Pronouncement of Death and Post-Death Care
Sets out how the Agency prepares families for an expected death at home, how a trained registered nurse determines and pronounces death under Texas Health and Safety Code §671.001, which deaths must be reported for an inquest, who is notified, how the death certificate is completed, and how post-death care is given.
About this policy
- Policy number
- TX-HSP-DTH-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 26 TAC §558.302
- Library
- Texas hospice · 59 policies
- Category
- Hospice care
- Sections
- 23
In short
- Tell families to call the hospice, not 911, when an expected death happens at home.
- Only an authorized RN or APRN pronounces death. LVNs, aides and volunteers never do.
- If the death may not be natural, such as a fall, injury, overdose or suicide, do not move anything and call law enforcement or the medical examiner as the county requires.
- Record the time of pronouncement, your findings, who was present and every call you made.
- Call the doctor who will sign the death certificate and give the funeral home their name.
- Respect the family’s religious and cultural wishes for care after death.
What's inside
23 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (26 TAC §558.302; Tex. Health & Safety Code §671.001)
- 5. Preparing for an Expected Death at Home
- 6. When a Death Is Reported
- 7. Pronouncement by an Authorized RN
- 7.1 Authorization
- 7.2 Determining death
- 7.3 If an authorized RN cannot attend
- 8. Deaths That Require an Inquest
- 9. Notifications After Death
- 10. The Death Certificate
- 11. Care After Death
- 12. After the Death: Records and Staff Support
- 13. Responsibilities
- 14. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 15. Staff Training
- 16. References
- 17. Related Policies and Forms
- 18. Approval
- 19. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Do your RNs pronounce death? Show me your written pronouncement policy and who approved it.
- What does your nurse do if the death does not look natural?
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