what happens when a person dies? Flashcards
where does death occur?
- community
- hospital
- another country
what happens when someone dies in the community?
- call ambulance
- determine whether indivdual is dead or still has a pulse
- death is confirmed by paramedics and they complete a ‘Fact of Death’ form
- involvement of police if death is suspicous
- coroner, GP and medical examiner determine if death needs further examination
what is the legal responsibilty of GP’s in giving a reason for death?
GP’s have a legal requirement to give a cause of death - to the best of their ability
if they cant think of anything then there is referal to a coroner who will most likely carry out a postmortem
what is the purpose of a death certifaction?
- help identify leading causes of mortality
- priorities services and funding
- monitor health of population
- medical research and health services
what happens if the GP does know the cause of death in community death?
- if cause of death can be proposed then a Medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) is completed
- MCCD is given to Registrar of Birth and Death for district in which person has died
- death certificate is obtained
- the person can then be buried
what happens if death occurs in hospital?
- check their ID and is there a DNR
- general inspection - signs of life? rigor?
- verbal stimulus - response to name?
- painful stimulus - trapezius, supraorbital
- pupillary light reflex - responsive? fixed and dilated?
- carotid pulse - present?
- heart sounds - present?
- breath sounds - present?
what happens if there is a cause of death in hospital?
- was the death expected or not?
- discuss with clinical team and medical examiner
- are there any reasons why death should be referred to coroner
- if there is a cause of death issue MCCB
- if no cause of deathc then medical examiner contacts HM coroner
which incidents are reffered to the coroner?
- sudden death
- domestic accidents
- operation death
- children
- industrial disease
- allegations of negligence
- road accidents
- abortions
- doubtful doctor
- suicide
- death in custody
- homicide
- alcholism
- industrial accidents
- any medical intervention
what is the role of the medical examiner?
- verify all deaths
- converse with GP to discuss cause of death
- safeguard the public - prevent clinical governance issues
- ensure right cause is referred to coroner
- better service to the families of the deceased
- improve quality of death certification
- improve quality of mortality data
what is the role of the coroner?
- ensure deaths are properly examined
- coroners determine: who person is, why they died, when they died and how they died
what can coroners decide?
- no need to carry out post mortem
- request a post mortem
- if natural - coroner releases body and registers death
- if an inquest is needed then the death is registered
what is an inquest?
- find out who, how, when and where (person died)
- fact finding
- not blame anyone
- can be opened (identify deceased) or adjourned (pending enquiries and investigations)
- witnesses
- jury inquest
what are the different outcomes of an inquest?
- natural causes
- accident
- suicide
- unlawful killin
- industrial disease
- open
- narrative
what is a post mortem?
- examination after the person has died
- carried out by pathologist (if instructed by coroners or family)
- review notes, history and circumstances of death
- first evasive tests are carried out then if needed invasive tests are done
