Death at Home, Pronouncement of Death and Post-Death Care
Sets what the Agency does when a patient dies: preparing the family for an expected death at home, who may pronounce death under District vital records law (a registered nurse for an expected death at the residence, never a licensed practical nurse), deaths the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner must be told about, release of the body to the funeral director, the physician’s medical certification, notifications, care of the body, controlled drug disposal, and the record of the pronouncement.
About this policy
- Policy number
- DC-HSP-DTH-01
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- D.C. Code §7-231.12
- Library
- Washington, DC hospice · 60 policies
- Category
- Clinical tasks
- Sections
- 21
In short
- Teach families to call us, not 911, when an expected death happens at home.
- Only a registered nurse pronounces death for the Agency. LPNs and aides stay with the family and call the RN.
- If the death may be from a fall, injury, overdose, violence or anything unusual, do not move the body and call the OCME.
- Tell the patient’s physician promptly: the physician must sign the medical certification within 48 hours.
- Respect the family’s wishes for care of the body and give them time before the funeral home comes.
- Complete Form DC-HSP-DTH-01-A and your death visit note the same day.
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 (D.C. Code §7-231.12(r))
- 5. Preparing for an Expected Death at Home
- 6. When a Death Is Reported
- 7. Pronouncement by a Registered Nurse
- 8. Deaths That Must Be Reported to the OCME
- 9. Release of the Body and the Medical Certification
- 10. Death After Taking a Covered Medication Under the Death with Dignity Act
- 11. Notifications After Death
- 12. Care After Death
- 13. Records and Staff Support
- 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 may pronounce death for your patients in the District, and in what circumstances?
- Show me the pronouncement record for this patient’s death.
See Cura Core with your agency's name on it.
Choose your state and type of agency, buy your Policy Pack online and get your sign-in by email. Already a customer? Sign in to your portal.