DEATH, CARE OF THE BODY AFTER

DEFINITION: Care rendered to the dead right after death.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Institution of a suitable position before rigor mortis sets in.
2. Have the body clean and in good condition possible.
3. Prevention from false claims of patient’s relatives.
REQUIREMENTS:
I. POST-MORTEM TRAY OF BASIC PREPARATION
a. Unsterile cotton ball
b. 1 roller bandage
c. 1 sponge forceps

II. If sponging is needed

a. Bath towel and mitten
b. Soap in soap dish
c. Basin of water
d. Post-mortem tray

III. Miscellaneous
a. Use gloves for handling waste matter and drainage, etc.
b. Use mask and gown for CDC cases. ‘
c. Clean dressings and adhesive tapes are used for changing soiled ones.

PROCEDURE
PERFROMED NOT PERFORMED REMARKS
POST MORTEM CARE
CARE OF THE BODY:
1. Work quietly, quickly
and respectfully
keeping knowledge of
death from other
parents.

2. Remove extra things

and linen from bed
except one sheet to
cover the pt.

3. Put the body flat on

bed leaving only one
pillow under the head.
Close eyes by grasping
the eyelashes and
pulling down gently.
Close the mouth and
hold the jaw firmly but
not too tight using the
roller bandage until the
jaw remains in place.
Straighten the body
with arms laid at the
sides.

4. Remove all jewelries

and other articles
requested to be worn
before cleaning the
body. Ring must be
taped to fingers. Leave
ID band on wrist.

5. Remove tubing or
packing if there is any.

6. Remove the
adhesive marks using
water in a piece of
cotton.

7. Replace soiled
dressing with a clean
one adequate enough
to absorb any drainage.

8. Pack the rectum and

vagina. If drainage is
present, the following
orifices must be
included:
a. ears b. nose c. etc.

9. Bath any part of the

body that has been
spoiled with discharges
and blood, etc. (PRN)
Full bath may be given
if necessary or
arranged.

10. Comb or arrange

the hair as usually
worn by the patient.

11. Cover the body

with a sheet and pin
the bed ID on top. See
that the patient is in
good position.
 12. The general duty
supervisor will decide
on when the body will
be brought down to
the morgue.

II. CARE OF
VALUABLES:
1. Have an itemized list
of all valuable in the
Deceased Valuable
Form, sign the form
mentioned. Attach the
form to the patient’s
chart for file.

III. AFTER CARE OF THE

EQUIPMENTS:
Return to the CSR all
equipment tubing and
other equipment after
doing an initial
cleaning.

IV. CHARTING:
1. Record the exact
time the registration
ceased.

2. Name of the
physician notified and
who pronounced the
patient dead.

3. Person who receives

the valuables.

4. Completely
dismantle and put the
chart in the drawer
provided.

5. The head nurse will

fill out the death
certificate.

PRECAUTION:
1. Never proceed with the care until the doctor pronounced the patient dead.
2. Leave the relatives alone with the deceased for a few minutes before doing the care.