1. Care of the Body after Death
Deliver care services using a palliative approach
CHCPA301B

2. What happens when a person dies
Hospitals and Aged Care facilities must follow the regulations set out by the NSW Department of Health.
These are:
NSW Health Policy Directive PD2012_036, Death-Extinction of Life and the Certification of Death - Assessment

3. What happens when a person dies
The Coroners Act 1980 & Amendments 2004,
Section 12A
The NSW Health Circular 99/57, Infection Control Policy – Post-mortem care

4. Assessment of the extinction of life
This is a clinical assessment process undertaken to establish that life is extinct
By evaluating cardiac output, neurological signs and respiratory status, a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse can generally establish that life is extinct.

5. Assessment of the extinction of life
The medical officer, if not present, must be contacted and asked to attend the facility to certify that the client has died and document the circumstances of the death
Once the medical officer has assessed the client, a death certificate or cremation certificate is issued.

6. Notification of client’s demise
Relatives or the N.O.K. (next of kin) should be notified of the client’s demise
The funeral parlour must then be notified of the client’s demise and arrangements made with them to attend the facility and remove the body

7. Notification of client’s demise
Prior to the funeral parlour arriving the ‘Body Removal Book’ must be completed by the staff ensuring that all client’s valuables, dentures, hearing aids and any other items that need to be transferred with the body are documented
This book must be signed by both the staff member entering the information and the representative of the funeral parlour

8. Notification of client’s demise
The cremation or death certificate must also be given to the funeral parlour representative as without this certificate they will not be able to remove the body

9. A Coroners Case
A death certificate is not issued if the person dies under the following circumstances:
A violent or unnatural death
Sudden death of unknown cause
Suspicious or unusual circumstances
The person hasn’t seen a doctor for 3 months

10. A Coroner’s Case Within 24 hours after an anaesthetic
Within a year and a day after an accident/operation
If the person dies in a mental health facility
If the person dies in a facility for person’s with a disability

11. Nursing Care - Last Offices
Wash and groom the client
Close the eyes using wet cotton wool if required to keep eyes closed
Close the mouth. A rolled up towel can be used to support the jaw in the closed position

12. Nursing Care - Last Offices
Dress in a shroud or clothing of choice
Make the bed with clean linen
Straighten the body and place arms by their side
Remove all equipment, feeding tubes, catheters etc. & tidy the room

13. Nursing Care - Last Offices
If there is any drainage of urine, faeces or wound exudate an incontinence pad can be used
Ensure privacy & dignity is maintained at all times through out the procedure
Pack the clients belongings in a bag for the relatives to collect

14. Nursing Care – Last Offices
The wet cotton wool and the roll towel should be removed before viewing by the relatives/N.O.K.
Two identification labels are place on the body – one on the ankle and one on the wrist
The deceased is placed in a body bag, which is also labelled with their name

15. Nursing Care – Last Offices
If the deceased was known to have an infectious disease then a label stating this must be firmly attached to the outside of the body bag to alert staff as well as funeral parlour personnel
The deceased can then be transferred to the mortuary or left in their room if appropriate

16. Religious Practices
Vary greatly in some instances and must always be strictly adhered to, as this is showing respect to the deceased and their family/N.O.K.

17. Standard Precautions
All blood and body fluids are considered contaminated
Wear gloves and protective clothing at all times

18. The Nurses Responsibility to Family and Next of Kin
Maintain a quiet and respectful attitude at all times
Provide support and privacy for the family/ N.O.K. to grieve
Allow family/ N.O.K. to express their grief

19. The Nurses Responsibility to Family and Next of Kin
Allow family/ N.O.K. time with the deceased
Allow family/ N.O.K. to assist with care of the deceased if desired
Allow family/ N.O.K. to discuss feelings

20. What to do in a Coroners Case
The police are notified and will attend rather than the medical officer
NOTHING
All tubes, drains, airways, feeding tubes, catheters etc. are left institu

21. What to do in a Coroner’s Case
All sharps are left firmly taped and secured to reduce the risk of injury or leakage
The body is not washed, but is left in the position it was found in - e.g. sitting in a chair
Statements will be taken by the police from every staff member on duty in the section at the time of death

22. Nurses Responsibility to Other Client’s
Close all doors when the funeral parlour arrives and leave closed until the body has been removed
Provide support and sharing of feelings
Allow them to move out of the immediate vicinity if they wish

23. Nurses Responsibility to Other Staff
Guard your comments
Support other staff in what ever way possible:
- Allow time out for staff who were involved with
the deceased
- Allow staff to express their feelings
- Encourage staff to seek counselling if required