Need tips when charting after the death of a patient

[skittlebear]

I am an LPN and caring for my first hospice patient who is expected to die at anytime. I still suffer a little from "charting anxiety" especially when dealing with new situations such as this. Can someone give me some general tips to abide by when charting after the death of a patient, or better yet, an example chart entry? Thank you

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

We use a checklist which lists who was called, phone #, time, etc. Then on the actual "note" I start with when the actual page was rcvd from the family. I make the note very detailed (this is what admin. wants). At my last job, we just used the checklist. Check with your facility.

Good luck!

[fultzymom]

I always chart something like, "Pt without resp, HR, or BP. Assisted STNA with cleaning body. Phone call placed to PCP for order to release body to funeral home. Family notified (or at bedside, depending if they are there or not)." I also chart the time that the funeral home is called to pick up the body et the time that the remove body from the facility. Then I also try to chart when the family removes paitents belongings from the facility just to be sure we are covered on that issue.

[aimeee, BSN, RN]

I would also add a short note about the reaction of the family and the assistance offered to them. (were they tearful but expressing relief? Angry and punching walls? Hugging and supporting each other? Withdrawn and silent? Were any counseling services staff called in?)

[doodlemom]

skittlebear said:

I am an LPN and caring for my first hospice patient who is expected to die at anytime. I still suffer a little from "charting anxiety" especially when dealing with new situations such as this. Can someone give me some general tips to abide by when charting after the death of a patient, or better yet, an example chart entry? Thank you

Are LVNs allowed to pronounce in your state?

[petra]

We also have a discharge summary page that has to be filled out when any one leaves. It have everything on it, diag. date of arrival, physician, summary of while they were with us and who we all called at the time of death, meds were destroyed, ect. Everything is on this sheet, so if we need to look back it's a piece of cake. We get it signed by the doc and keep it with the chart.

[skittlebear]

doodlemom said:

Are LVNs allowed to pronounce in your state?

Thank you all who have replied. In response to your question, no, LPN's are not allowed to pronounce in my state. We would call the hospice nurse who would come out to our site and pronounce.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

In Louisiana LPN's can pronounce.

[EmptytheBoat]

LPN's in Louisiana are invaluable, we couldn't

manage without them. skittlebear, don't fret,

not much to chart on a death; no pulse, no

respirations.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

Thanks, EmptytheBoat! You've made my day!

[saribeth]

At our agency we have a check list...absence of P,R,B/P pupils fixed and dilated-all narcotics disposed of and witnessed by______(initialed) we notify the funeral home, MD, DME company, & HHA coordinator. We stay with the family until they remove the body... we also have to do the discharge in the computer and then the agency discharge...I miss those paper charts sometimes! God rest all of their weary souls:zzzzz You will be wonderful!