- Last offices
The last offices are the procedures performed, usually by a
nurse in thedeveloped world , to a dead person shortly afterdeath has been confirmed. They can vary fromhospital to hospital, andculture to culture.Name
The word "offices" is related to the original
latin , in which "officium" means "service, duty, business" [ [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=office&searchmode=none Online Etymology Dictionary ] ] . Hence these are the "last duties" carried out on the body.Procedure
Often the body of the deceased is left for an
hour as a mark of respect [http://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/intranet/Ashford---/Publicatio/Policies-a/Last-Offices-Nursing-Procedure2.doc] . The procedure then typically includes the following steps, though they can vary according to an institution's preferred practices [http://www.mhb.ie/mhb/OurServices/PoliciesProceduresGuidelines/Appendix1/CareoftheOlderPersons/d7841.PDF] :
*Removal ofjewellery unless requested otherwise by the deceased's family. If left on it must be documented in the patient's property list.
*Wounds , including pressure sores, should be covered with a waterproof dressing. Tube insertion points should be padded with gauze and tape to avoid purging.
*The patient is laid on his/her back with arms by their side (unless religious customs demand otherwise).Eyelid s are closed.
*Thejaw is often supported with a pillow or cervical collar.
*Dentures should be left in place, unless inappropriate.
*Thebladder is drained by applying pressure on the lowerabdomen . Orifices are blocked only if leakage of body fluid is evident.
*The body is then washed, the mouth cleaned and the face shaved.
*An identification bracelet is put on theankle detailing: the name of the patient; date of birth; date of death; name of ward (if patient died in hospital).References
External links
* [http://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/intranet/Ashford---/Publicatio/Policies-a/Last-Offices-Nursing-Procedure2.doc Last Offices Nursing Procedure description]
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