Prab at 01:31, 19 March 2025

2025-03-19T01:31:46Z

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Prab at 21:48, 27 March 2023

2023-03-27T21:48:28Z

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The '''last offices''' are the procedures performed, usually by a [[nurse]], to a dead person shortly after [[death]] has been confirmed. They can vary from [[hospital]] to hospital, and [[culture]] to culture.

=== Name ===

The word "offices" is related to the original [[Latin]], in which ''officium'' means "service, duty, business".<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=office&searchmode=none Online Etymology Dictionary]</ref> Hence these are the "last duties" carried out on the body.

=== Aims ===

The main goals of the last offices are:

* To prepare the deceased for the mortuary (a funeral home or morgue), respecting their cultural beliefs
* To comply with legislation, in particular where the death of a patient requires the involvement of a Procurator Fiscal aka. Coroner
* To minimize any risk of cross-infection to relative, health care worker, or persons who may need to handle the deceased

=== Procedure ===

Often the body of the deceased is left for up to an [[hour]] as a mark of respect. The procedure then typically includes the following steps, though they can vary according to an institution's preferred practices:

# Removal of [[jewellery]] unless requested otherwise by the deceased's family. If left on, it must be documented in the patient's property list.
# [[Wounds]], including [[Skin ulcer|pressure sores]], should be covered with a waterproof [[dressing (medical)|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.
# The [[jaw]] is often supported with a pillow or cervical collar.
# [[Dentures]] should be left in place, unless inappropriate.
# The [[bladder]] is drained by applying pressure on the lower [[abdomen]]. Orifices are blocked only if leakage of body fluid is evident.
# The body is then washed and dried, the mouth cleaned, and the face shaved.
# An identification bracelet is put on the [[ankle]], detailing: the name of the patient; date of birth; date and time of death; name of ward (if patient died in hospital); patient identification number.
# The body is dressed in a simple garment or wrapped in a shroud. An identification label duplicating the above information is pinned to the wrap or shroud.
# A stretcher drawsheet is placed under the body to enable removal to a trolley for transportation to the morgue. These trolleys may often be disguised to resemble laundry carts if transportation has to pass through areas where members of the public may be present.
By following these procedures, healthcare professionals can ensure that the deceased's body is treated with dignity and respect, while adhering to any cultural or religious customs, as well as legal requirements.
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Death customs]]
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Last offices - Revision history

Prab at 01:31, 19 March 2025

Prab: CSV import

Prab: CSV import

Prab at 21:48, 27 March 2023