Certifying Death
Verifying death
Note-taking
Others
Source
Department of Health, Victoria 2011
- No palpable carotid pulse
- No heart sounds heard for 2 minutes
- No breath sounds heard for 2 minutes
- Fixed (non responsive to light) and dilated pupils
- No response to centralised stimulus (e.g. trapezius muscle squeeze, supraorbital pressure, mandibular pressure or the common sternal rub)
- No motor (withdrawal) response or facial grimace in response to painful stimulus (e.g. pinching inner aspect of the elbow)
- ECG strip shows no rhythm
Note-taking
- Name and position (eg Intern)
- Clinical determinants used (as above)
- Location, date, time of assessment
Others
- Advise family what you are going to do
- Ask if they want to be present
- Provide social support for family
Source
Department of Health, Victoria 2011