Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

• Death where a complaint is received from next of kin about
medical treatment given to the deceased, and where medical
treatment may have contributed to death.
• Any death caused by an industrial disease or poisoning;
• Any death due to a disease, infectious disease or syndrome which
poses an acute, serious public health risk including:
• any form of food poisoning
• Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B (with or without delta-agent coinfection
[Hepatitis D]), Hepatitis C and Hepatitis E
• any hospital acquired infection
• Legionnaires Disease
• Any death associated with lack of medical care;
• Any death which occurs during or associated with the
administration of general or local anaesthetic;
• Any death caused by the withdrawal of life sustaining treatment to
a patient in a persistent vegetative state (this is to be distinguished
from the removal from a life-support machine or a person who is
brain stem dead and cannot breathe unaided);
• Any death occurring as a result directly or indirectly of an infection
acquired while under medical or dental care while on NHS
premises, including hospitals, GP surgeries, health centres and
dental surgeries.
• Any drug related death.
• Any death not falling into any of the foregoing categories where
the cause may cause public anxiety.
• Death of children: SIDS, “at risk”, foster care, Local Authority care.
THE DEATH CERTIFICATE
• Detailed advice on completion of the death certificate is contained
in the certificate booklet.
• Discuss with the Consultant responsible for the patient.
• Ensure that both the counter foil and the death certificate proper
have the patient’s name written legibly on them.
• Ensure the date is correct, and that it is neat, legible and signed.
• When speaking to the family explain what the technical terms
mean, if this is appropriate.
• Document what has been written on the certificate in patient case
record.
adult medical emergencies handbook | NHS LOTHIAN: UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS DIVISION | 2009/11
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