Fatal boating accident

[AntarcticPilot]

My father died unexpectedly - he had been ill for several months, but his illness was not diagnosed as being terminal, and he was not perceived as being at risk. In order for his death to be certified, the hospital had to conduct a Post Mortem examination, at which he was discovered to have been suffering from multiple myeloma. The point is that the death of anyone who dies in unexpected circumstances - even if they were very ill to start with - cannot be certified until the doctor concerned is satisfied about the cause of death. Conversely, my late wife died in a hospice where she was receiving palliative care, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In that case, the nurses who attended when she died simply confirmed to me that she had died and allowed me time to grieve and recover myself (I cannot praise their support too highly). The death certificate in that case was issued as a matter of routine.

 

[PilotWolf]

There are good practical reasons why people such as paramedics need to be able to pronounce life extinct. For the most part this is obvious to anyone, even without training, but I assume that paramedics will give the benefit of doubt to the patient if there is uncertainty. To certify death, the doctor must have attended the patient for the condition that caused death and for the death from that condition to have been expected. Attendance must also have been within two weeks, unless the rules have changed. A clinician can never certify death from accidental causes.

Yes, maybe I'm not explaining well.

We could pronounce life extinct and not start or terminate resusitantion based on strict criteria . You are correct about the 2 week thing, most terminal patients have been seen in that time period. But only a doctor could certify as in issue the certificate .

Most I worked with were great and worked in the families interest. As a paramedic we used to find most resistance from 'older' nursing staff even when supported by the Doctors - including consultants. I had an issue with one for putting in an IV - I suggested she call the very senior consultant that trained me and got blown off because she knew she was wrong but was trying to make the point that she disagreed a paramedic was allowed to perform a procedure she wasn't.

W.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The coroner is involved when a clinician is unable to provide a death certificate, this may involve a post mortem examination to ascertain the cause of death.

Danke schön. It's different in Scotland, so one lives and learns.

 

[Leighb]

Danke schön. It's different in Scotland, so one lives and learns.

Bitte schon!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

The coroner is involved when a clinician is unable to provide a death certificate, this may involve a post mortem examination to ascertain the cause of death.

A PM may be needed in cases where a clinician is not sure of the cause of death, even if the coroner is not involved. See post 41