POST MORTEM CARE

DEFINITION:
The proper physical care rendered by the nurse for the body of a deceased
patient. This would also include documentation of all information related to the death
of a patient.

OBJECTIVE:
After the activity, the students will be able to acquire the knowledge, skills
and attitude in the proper care for the corpse.

TIME MANAGEMENT: 30 minutes

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS:
1. Death tags (2 pieces)
2. Notice of death (3 copies)
3. Death Certificate
4. Clean Gloves
5. Face mask
6. Logbook
7. Pen
8. Dry cotton balls in a canister
9. Glass rod
10. Materials for sponge bath
- face towel
- basin with water
- soap
- bath towel
11. Yellow plastic bags ( at least 2 pieces)
12. Patients gown
13. Dressing set
- Gauze
- Micropore tape
- Cotton balls with alcohol
- Kidney basin
- Kelly forceps
- Bandage scissors
14. Wrap sheet/ Shroud
15. Corpse bag

ASSESSMENT:
- Assess the environment for completeness of equipment
- Assess self-preparedness
DIAGNOSIS:
- Knowledge Deficit
- Impaired Family Processes

PLANNING:
Expected Outcomes
- The corpse will be taken cared of properly.
- Family will be able to participate during the entire procedure.

Nursing Consideration
- Consider the religious beliefs of the family about care of the
dead relative. Let the family practice their ritual. For example
among the Muslims, the eyes and mouth of the deceased are
closed, the body is covered with a sheet. Their head is
positioned to face Mecca.
- In cases an autopsy is required, remember DO NOT REMOVE
CONTRAPTIONS yet for example Indwelling catheter,
Nasogastric tubes etc.
- Explain to the family that the patient’s body will be sent to the
morgue and must be claimed within the span of time given by
hospital usually 6 hours only.
- In the event the body is not claimed within the grace period, it
will be automatically endorsed to the hospital’s affiliate funeral
services.

Procedure Rationale
I. PREPARATION TO CARRY OUT THE
PROCEDURE
1. Check completeness of mortuary 1. To conserve time and energy.
box.
2. Accomplish the notice of death (3 2. These forms are needed to properly
copies), 2 death tags. identify patient.
3. Secure death certificate from the 3. Death Certificate is a proof of
admission office. patient’s death.
4. Request the resident physician to 4. Physicians are signatories in
accomplish death certificate form patient’s death certificate.
5. Send the forms: a.) notice of death 5. It is a protocol to send copies to
to- admission, nursing unit, billing concerned departments.
b.) Death Certificate- admission
office
6. Inform the relatives of discharge 6. It is necessary to guide the family
procedure, securing funeral service, on procedures related to the dead
availability of the hospital chaplain relative.
 and autopsy procedure (if necessary) 7. For work to be more efficient.
7. Bring the needed equipment to the
bedside. 8. To allay family’s anxiety and get
8. Explain post mortem care to the their participation.
immediate relatives. 9. Even dead patients need privacy.
9. Provide privacy 10. As an infection control measure.
10. Wash hands
II.
II. PERFORMANCE OF ACTUAL
PROCEDURE 1. Serves as a barrier against
1. Wear clean gown, gloves and face microorganisms.
mask ( other PPEs as required). 2. For proper acknowledgment of
2. Makes itemized list of all patient’s items.
belongings, endorse them to the
immediate relatives and ask them to
affix signature in the logbook. 3. For proper positioning before body
3. Align body with arms at the side & undergo stiffening or rigor mortis.
places patient in supine position. 4. So patient would look pleasant
4. Close patient’s eye by grasping even before stiffening or rigor
eyelashes of the upper eyelid pulling mortis.
it upward & downward over the
eyes. 5. So to preserve the face contour of
5. Place back dentures & closes patient.
patient’s mouth. 6. These contraptions are not needed
6. Remove all contraptions e.g. IV, anymore.
Foley Catheter, etc. (except radiation
implants) & apply new dressing. 7. To cleanse the body.
7. Provide sponge bath. 8. To prevent leakage of discharges.
8. Pack all orifice with pieces of gauze
and cotton balls. 9. Dress up patient properly.
9. Dress the body with patient’s gown
or patient’s clothes. 10. For identification and prevent
10. Attach one death tag around the misplacing/switching of the
wrist, fold patient’s hands over chest corpses.
and position the legs
11. Cover the body with wrap sheet. 11. Avoid exposure.
12. Attaches the other death tag to the 12. As an added identification.
foot part of the sheet
13. Put body in a corpse bag if available 13. For protection and hygiene
and label with another identification purposes.
tag as applicable. 14. For safekeeping, until funeral
14. Transport the body to the morgue. service arrives.
III.
III. PERFORMANCE OF AFTER CARE
PROCEDURE 1. As an infection control measure.
1. Discard all used items in a yellow
plastic bag 2. Still as part of infection control
2. Remove all linen items and place it measures.
in a yellow plastic bag. 3. As an after care, so for it to be
3. Clean and disinfect all equipment ready for future use.
used. 4. Patient’s room needs cleaning and
4. Accomplish and send housekeeping airing as an infection control
request for scheduling. measure.
5. The mortuary box must be ready
5. Replenish mortuary box. for future use.
6. As infection control measure.
6. Observe hand hygiene.

III. DOCUMENTATION OF PROCEDURES - Documentation is needed

1. Time patient was pronounced dead. so to have a record of the
2. Time post mortem care was rendered. exact accounts of the post
3. Observations noted during post mortem care.
mortem care. - Ensure protection and
4. Staff that has rendered the post safety of the corpse
mortem care.
5. Staff that transported the corpse to
the morgue.
6. Time the corpse was transported to
the morgue.
7. Immediate relative who consented to
the autopsy (optional)