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Evidence‐based approaches

Rationale

Indications

Care after death is indicated:
  • when a patient's death has been verified and documented
  • for adult patients who have died in hospital or in a hospice.

Contraindications

There are no absolute contraindications. However, in the following circumstances, seek further guidance before undertaking care after death:
  • if the patient who has died is referred to the coroner and/or for post‐mortem (Box 11.7)
  • if the patient who has died is a candidate for organ donation.
Box 11.7
Reasons for referral to a coroner
A post‐mortem examination, also known as an autopsy, is the examination of a body after death. The aim of a post‐mortem is to determine the cause of death. In most cases, a doctor or the police refer a death to the coroner if:
  • the death was unexpected, such as the sudden death of a baby (cot death)
  • the cause appears violent, unnatural or suspicious, such as a suicide or drug overdose
  • the death is the result of an accident or injury
  • the death occurred during or soon after a hospital procedure, such as surgery, and the cause of death is unknown.
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