Hello all - I am working on a project for my DNP and need to know which states allow the LPN to "Determine" death? I know most states (if not all) do not allow LPNS to "pronounce" but I wanted to see if other states would allow an LPN (Say working for a at home hospice agency) to "determine" death of a patient without having an RN or higher "double check" to be sure the patient is actually dead.
Currently, I work for a hospice agency that employees LPNs to provide continuious care for patients that are with in 3 to 5 days of death or activly dying. When the patient does pass, the LPN has to call the on-call RN to come out and pronounce. In many instances, the patient is dead for an hour or more before I get there to say "yep - their dead!" I see no reason why an LPN can not determin death and then call either the MD or the RN and give them their findings: No Pulse, No Respiration's, No Blood Pressure. Fixed and dilated pupils, etc.
Can the group tell me if their state allows the LPN to "Determine death" and then give me your feelings about the LPN's doing so.
Thank you for all of your assistance and "Happy Nurses Week!"
So, in other words, you want us to do your homework for you? I'm in a DNP program as well, and this would not fly with your program chair. The short answer here is "Do this work yourself". Primary sources and all.......
WHAT? Umm. all she wanted to know was if our state allowed LPNs to pronounce death. In Massachusetts the answer is "no". That was no work for me to answer. Sheesh!
RIGHT?? That is how it is done here in Mass. Stupid! In LTC the DON must come in and pronounce death, as there is rarely an RN on the floor. The vast majority of LTC nurses are LPNs. So dumb
Oh...you wanted feelings as well...nursing is nursing and with a few exceptions, dead is dead. It's ridiculous for somebody to have to wait an hour for another person to show up and say, "Yup. Gone" just because there different amounts of letters behind the names. :)
Lmomma
152 Posts
WHAT? Umm. all she wanted to know was if our state allowed LPNs to pronounce death. In Massachusetts the answer is "no". That was no work for me to answer. Sheesh!