The SA HEALTH LIFE EXTINCT GUIDELINES I - Aged & Community ...

Ref: 2009-10988eA 477220«Title» «First» «Last»«Title2»«Organisation»«Address»Dear ColleagueRE: The SA HEALTH LIFE EXTINCT GUIDELINESI am writing to advise you that the attached SA Health Declaration of Life Extinct byRegistered Nurses and Midwives in the Absence of a Medical Practitioner Guidelinehas been finalised and approved for distribution. For SA Health employees, thisguideline is also available from the Directives, Guidelines & Information Bulletins siteon the intranet.The guideline advises on the assessment and declaration of life extinct by registerednurses and midwives, in the absence of a medical practitioner, where the patientdeath occurs in a hospital, health centre, nursing home, hostel or at home. This doesnot negate the need for certification of death to be undertaken by a medicalpractitioner.The guideline was developed after a wide consultation process. It takes intoconsideration that although current practice and protocols requires Medical Officersto declare life extinct, geographical isolation and competing demands for medicalpractitioners, particularly after hours, meant that registered nurses and midwiveswere increasingly confronted with a lack of access to a Medical Officer, and werethus unable to ensure the provision of best practice care of the deceased andbereaved.Please ensure that the Guideline is disseminated to all relevant staff. If you have anyquestions related to the guidelines please contact the Nursing and Midwifery Officeon ph 8226 0749 or email nursing@health.sa.gov.au.Yours sincerelyDR TONY SHERBON

2Chief Executive/ /Attachment: Declaration of Life Extinct by Registered Nurses and Midwives in the Absence of a Medical PractitionerGuidelineCC:Public Hospitals (Metropolitan Health Services and CHSA)Metropolitan Domiciliary CareRoyal District Nursing ServiceDivision of General PracticeANMFSA Health Unions Consultative ForumIndustrial Liaison CommitteeTertiary Education Institutions (for distribution only to relevant staff)Department of Families and CommunitiesSAPOLAHPRAPrivate HospitalsPrivate Nursing HomesHealth Professional Associations and Related OrganisationsSA Funeral Directors AssociationCoroners Office and State Forensic Science CentreAboriginal Health Council of SA2