Transition care 2.docx

Transition/End of Life Care and Procedures. The care of the body after death is considered one of the last things that our staff can do for our clients and their families. In one study of the work undertaken after death, the care of the body is described as an essential, hidden and generally unackno...

Transition/End of Life Care and Procedures. The care of the body after death is considered one of the last things that our staff can do for our clients and their families. In one study of the work undertaken after death, the care of the body is described as an essential, hidden and generally unacknowledged element of palliative care. SUPPLIES NEEDED: Appropriate PPE Should be utilized at all times.   Basin of warm water,  2.     Soap in dish,  3.     Bath Towels and Washcloths 4.     Wash Cloth or rag for under the Chin      5.     Clean Linens for the bed and to cover the body 6. Linens and Clothing 7. Brush or Comb for Hair  Procedure FIRST: IS YOUR CLIENT HOSPICE? DO NOT CALL 911 Call Hospice, Contact Family Member, Contact Your Supervisor. (in some cases, hospice will contact family. Verify this when calling.) Straighten the body.   It should also be noted that the body may “sigh” as it is rolled. The movement causes the lungs to compress and expel air. The body can make slight movements after death. The movements do not at all resemble ones that a person would do while alive, they can still be startling for those around them. Cadavers can do such things such as twitch, move, and even clench muscles. Dentures Clean the mouth and clean and replace any dentures **Mouth—bring the jaws together by placing a rolled towel under the chin. (Clean mouth and replace dentures as soon as possible and provide support under the chin to keep the mouth closed. Rigor Mortis will begin quickly after death. **Eyes—bring upper lid down to the lower and apply gentle pressure over it for a while. Mouth—bring the jaws together by placing a rolled towel under the chin. Remove extra bed linen and Leave one sheet to cover the body. Remove and Replace all soiled linens. Bathe the body and dress appropriately. Shaving: Shaving someone who has recently died can cause bruising. A funeral director can do this later if the family request it. Clean and Dressing: Clean and dress the deceased appropriately. Hair: Tidy the hair and arrange into their preferred style. Do Not remove any medical devices or syringe drivers until the death has been verified and you know that it is not being referred to the coroner or procurator fiscal. Do Not Remove Intravenous (IV) cannula drains, and catheters should be capped of and left in place. This helps to prevent any leakage of fluids and helps with infection control. Pads can be used to soak up any leakage of fluid from the urethra, vagina, or rectum. Cover any wounds with a clean dressing. Cover stomas with a clean bag. Fold Hands over Chest Cover the body appropriately to appear in a resting/sleeping state. Every death is different, and people react in quite different ways. If there are family members or friends present at the death, be respectful of what they need. They might want you to take the lead or they might prefer that you are in the background. If there are no family members or friends present, make sure that they are informed as soon as possible.