correct terms

[nebrgirl]

Just a dumb question....but in medical settings is it more

"correct" to say "deceased" "passed away"

"expired" or "died". I realize all of those probably beat..."bought the farm" "kick the bucket" "checked out" etc. but of the above which is more correct?

Nebrgirl

[NurseLan]

where I work... we use the term, "expired" when some passed away. hope that helps :)

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

expired seems to be the most acceptable, but when talking to family you might have to use the vernacular. In the deep south that could mean "Passed on".

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I say died. Its a bit harsh sounding but no one can get offended by the truth.

[GilaRRT]

I say died. Its a bit harsh sounding but no one can get offended by the truth.

Agreed. Dead is dead, and calling death anything else is rather silly IMHO. This is especially true when talking with friends and family.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

i really like the term dirt nap.. but i use passed away.

[lucky1RN]

I never use "expired". Milk expires and I don't like associating stinky old milk with a human being's death.

"Passed on", "passed away", "died"...these all get the point across and with the right tone of voice and expression can relay the news gently.

[Katnip, RN]

I tend to use died. It's simple and straight forward. When I hear expired I think of expired coupons or a can of tuna or something. "Passed on" is ok with me, particularly with families who have some deep spiritual connection.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I don't like 'expired' either. Too cold and impersonal. It's on our paperwork.

When speaking, I use 'died,' because that's what happened. Like another poster said, if you say it in the right tone, it's not offensive. It is what it is.

[Kath_RN]

Passed away is culturally acceptable in most cases.

[pers]

When talking to family and visitors I generally say "died" or some form of "passed" (on, away, whatever). Among staff we often use "go" to refer to death. We've also been known to use, in private of course, some of the other less polite terms like taking a dirt nap, bit it, the big sleep, kicking the bucket, etc.

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

i dont like expired much either. i use it but i dont like it. when i chart i chart "pt prounounced dead @ 8:15am".

i'd LIKE to chart "pt deader than fortyleven hells" lol