TheatrePracticeStandardsGeneric1

1. Detailed guidelines including list of equipment required for Last Offices:
Preparing the Body (These should be laminated and placed in the Last Offices
Box)
Personal Protective Equipment (disposable
gloves, aprons, goggles relative to the risk of
body fluid exposure.)
Bowl of warm water, soap, disposable wash
cloths and two towels.
Equipment List:
Disposable razor, comb and equipment for nail
care.
Equipment for mouth care including equipment for
cleaning dentures.
Gauze, waterproof tape, dressings and
bandages if wounds or intravenous
arterial lines and cannula are presen.t
Receiver for collecting urine if
appropriate.
Plastic bags for clinical (yellow),
household waste (black), laundry (red).
Sharps bin.
Identification labels x 2. Clean sheet.
Documents required:
- Mortuary Card (A5 yellow)
- Notification of Death for Bereavement Office
(A4 White)
Record book for property and
valuables.
Bags for the patient’s personal
possessions.
Shroud or patient’s personal clothing if previously requested by patient, or clothes that comply
with family or cultural wishes.
Body bag and labels for the body bag including labels that identify any known infection/disease.
2. Detailed Procedure of ‘Last Offices’ for a Perioperative Patient
1 Ascertain if the family has any preferences or knowledge of the preferences that the
patient, in life, may have requested that will influence last offices practice.
2 Collect all equipment necessary.
3 Ensure the area where the procedure is to be performed is private and as free from
interruptions as possible.
4 Remove all but one pillow. Support the jaw by placing a pillow or rolled up towel on the chest
or underneath the patients jaw.
5 Do not bind the patients jaw with bandages as this can leave pressure marks on the face
which can be difficult to remove.
6 Remove any mechanical aids such as syringe drivers, heel pads etc. Apply gauze and tape
to syringe driver sites and document disposal of medication.
7 Straighten patient’s limbs.
8 If lines are to remain, cut and cap/spigot off any large-bore tubes and cover with gauze and
adhesive dressing. Ensure that documentation alerts mortuary staff to their presence. Do not
remove any invasive lines.
9 Attempt to close the patient’s eyes by using gentle pressure to the eyelids for 30 seconds,
using a small piece of clinical tape if required.
10 Apply gentle pressure over the bladder area, if the patient is not catheterised, allowing the
bladder to drain. This will minimise the risk of post-mortem leakage.
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