Emergency Department Clinical Pathway for End of Life Care

Staff Resources
  • Do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR)
  • Family presence
  • Termination of resuscitation
 
 
Deceased Child
 
 
Forensic Evidence Collection/Body Preparation
  • RN
  • Leave all lines/tubes in place; may cut ETT to lips
  • Collect clothes, belongings, linens
  • Collect and store bullets, knife blades, gunshot pellets, narcotics
  • MD
 
 
Post-mortem Family Communication
MD, RN, SW, Child Life
 
 
 
 
Medical Examiner Case
Physician to print medical
examiner report
  • MD: Documentation
  • RN: Disposition of body
 
 
 
 
Non-Medical Examiner Case
Physician to Print Pathology Consult Report and ED Provider Note
  • MD: Documentation,
    determination of autopsy
  • RN: Disposition of body
 
 
Contact Gift of Life
1-800-543-6391
 
 
Notify Primary Care Physician
Subspecialists involved in care
 
 
  Medical Examiner Case Non-Medical Examiner Case
Forms to
Fill Out
Medical examiner report
Forms to NOT Fill Out
  • Electronic Death Certificate
  • Permission for Autopsy
  • Pathology Consultation Report
Medical examiner report
Posted: October 2015
Revised: December 2024