POST MORTEM CARE
- Defined as the care given once death has
occurred through transfer to a funeral
provider.
- Post mortem care is largely focused on
family care on survivors who are often
greatly affected by events surrounding
by the family member’s death.
PURPOSE:
- Cleaning and preparing the patient’s
body for viewing by the family
- Ensuring proper identification of the
patient prior to transportation to the
morgue or funeral home
- Providing appropriate disposition of
patient’s belongings.
- Maintaining vital organs, if donation is
planned.
PROUNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH:
STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION:
Pallor Mortis
- Paleness of death
- Almost immediately after death a body
of a person with light skin will begin to
grow very pale
- Caused by a lacked of blood in the
capillary.
Algor Mortis
- Cool of death
- After a death a human body will no
longer be working to keep warm, and as
a result will start cooling
Rigor Mortis
- Death stiffness
- About 3hrs after death a chemical
change in the muscle of a patient will
become difficult to move.
Putrefaction
- Decomposition of proteins in a process
that results in the eventual breakdown
of cohesion between tissues and the
liquefaction of most organs.
Assessment:
- Verify that the patient has been
pronounced dead by the physician.
- Identify cadaver and collect his/her
belongings for labeling.
Planning
- Collect all necessary equipment:
o Bathing supplies
o Shroud or morgue bag
o 3 identification tag
o Roll of gauge
o Paper / plastic bag for
belongings
o Morgue Cart
Special Consideration
- If there are visitors in the room , explain
the situation
- Allow the family to grieve and be with
the patient.
Nursing Care (Post Mortem)
- Responsible for notifying the attending
provider
- Responsible for several post-mortem
tasks, including final documentation
care and final disposition of the body
and providing support to the family.
- The nurse must also take time for self
care as these responsibilities can be
draining.
Implementation:
- Maintain proper alignment of the body.
- If possible,place dentures in the mouth.
- Remove any external object causing
pressure or injury to the skin
- Follow hospital policy
- Clean the body as needed
- Close the eyes
- If the family is to visit the deceased
provide clean linen and gown to patient
- Prepare the equipment used for
cleansing
- ID tags- toe wrist and morgue bag.