Giving Postmortem Care Notes

Student Activity
Ten Word Conclusion
AGENDA
Gabriela Portela
Health Science 4A
GIVING POSTMORTEM CARE
Postmortem care is care given to the body immediately after death.

It begins when a physician has pronounced the patient dead.
WHAT IS POSTMORTEM CARE?
When a HC worker has cared for a patient over a period of time, they will feel
grief and a sense of loss upon the patients death.

Its important for HC workers to try to control their emotions because family
members will need their support.
DEALING WITH DEATH AS A HC
WORKER
After patient is dead, their rights continue to apply after death.

The patients body should be treated with dignity and respect.

Privacy should be provided at all times.
PATIENTS RIGHTS
Postmortem kit:
Clean sheet
Gown
Tags
Gauze squares
Cotton balls
Safety pins
Under pads/bed protectors
Basin
Towels
Washcloths
Personal inventory/valuables lists
Disposable gloves
Plastic waste bag
Pen or pencil
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Procedure for postmortem care varies in different facilities.

Know and follow the procedure established by your facility.
PROCEDURE FOR POSTMORTEM
CARE
Body should be prepared for viewing if family or friends are not present when
death occurs, and want to view body before it is taken to morgue or funeral
home.
PREPARING BODY TO BE VIEWED
BY FAMILY
Obtain proper authorization and assemble equipment.

Identify the patient by checking the armband.

Close the door and screen the unit to provide privacy.

Wash hands. Put on gloves.


PROCEDURES TO GIVE
POSTMORTEM CARE
Elevate bed, and lower the side rail where you are working.

Position the body laying flat on back, with the arms and legs straight. Place a
pillow under the head and shoulders and elevate bed at 30 degrees.

If the eyes are open, close them by gently pulling eyelids over the eyes. Put a
moist cotton ball on each eye if the eyes do not remain shut.


PROCEDURES TO GIVE
POSTMORTEM CARE
Agency policies vary regarding dentures and chin straps.
Some agencies prefer that dentures should be replaced in mouth, others state
that they should be placed in a denture cup. Some agencies use a chin strap to
keep jaw shut while others are against the use of chin straps due to bruising or
discoloration of the skin. There are a few agencies that use a towel under the
chin to keep mouth closed.
PROCEDURES TO GIVE
POSTMORTEM CARE
Remove soiled dressings, and replace with clean ones. At this point youre
going to also remove tubes. IVs, catheters, or drainage bags that are in place
unless needed for autopsy.

Use warm water to clean any soiled body areas. Dry all areas thoroughly, and
comb hair if needed.
PROCEDURES TO GIVE
POSTMORTEM CARE
Place an underpad or padding under buttocks at anal area.
Put a clean gown on body.

Jewelry is usually removed, listed on valuables list, and stored until signed for
by a family member. A wedding ring is typically left on body, taped in place,
and noted on chart.

PROCEDURES TO GIVE
POSTMORTEM CARE
Fill out identification card/tag. Tag is usually placed on right ankle, or right
big toe.

Place body in body bag. Use safety pins or tape to hold sheet in place.

Collect all belongings, and make a list. List is checked to ensure that all items
are present. Attach identification card to bag or container that personal
belongings are placed in.
PROCEDURES TO GIVE
POSTMORTEM CARE
Obtain assistance and transfer body to a stretcher. Doors to other patients
rooms should be closed and hallways should be emptying before transferring
the body to morgue.

Return to unit. Strip linen from bed. Clean unit and equipment.
Wash hands.

Report and record all required information on chart.
PROCEDURES TO GIVE
POSTMORTEM CARE
Peer-Share-Out
Discussion between classmates on giving postmortem care.
Examples:
1. What part is most difficult
2. What you learned
3. Something you didnt know

STUDENT ACTIVITY
In ten words, summarize what you learned today.
TEN WORD CONCLUSION
Diversified Health Occupations, Seventh Edition
By: Louise Simmers, Karen Simmers-Nartker, Sharon Simmers-Kobelak

CITATIONS