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Coronavirus — End of Life Considerations — Clinical Pathway

Active COVID-19, Clinical Pathway — All Settings

COVID-19 End of Life Considerations
Care of the Deceased Patient with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19
Physician Considerations/ Documentation
  • Send COVID testing prior to transport to ME
  • No death certificate is required for ME cases per usual pathway
  • For non-ME cases, death certificate should be filled out electronically: Pennsylvania Department of Health  
Body Preparation
  • Staff to remain in expanded PPE (N95 or PAPR) while performing post-mortem care (ETT should be clamped)
  • Body should be double bagged (decontaminate inner bag with Oxivir and change gloves before placing outer bag)
  • Affix toe tags to patient and to outer bag, label outer bag to indicate unknown COVID status
Body Transport
  • Standard precautions for staff are sufficient during transfer to morgue after double bagging is complete
Keepsakes
  • ED: Clean hands/feet with oxivir, continue to use sculpy mold, wipe again with oxivir, send home with family to be baked
  • Inpatient: Complete accucast mold, complete to dry in room, wipe with oxivir prior to sending home with family

 

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