HospitalInspections.org

Based on medical record review, interview and policy review, medical staff did not notify Patient #1's next of kin of the patient's death in accordance with facility policy.

Findings include:

Review of Patient #1 medical record dated 10/18/19 at 08:26 AM revealed documentation from Staff (I), RN indicating Patient #1 was pronounced at 07:02 AM per criteria, and that Staff (V), Physician Assistant, the family, and eye & tissue bank were notified. At 12:07 PM, Staff (N), Case Management documented that Patient #1 passed this morning and his daughter did not receive a call (death notification) until 09:30 AM from Staff (I), RN. On 10/20/19 at 08:36 PM, Staff (R), Attending Physician dictated the death summary indicating that he had not spoken to Patient #1's daughter yet.

Interview on 03/03/20 at 10:35 AM with Staff (N), Case Management revealed she spoke with Patient #1's daughter on 10/18/19, who was upset that she was not notified of Patient #1's death until 09:00 AM. The physician is supposed to notify or call the family.

Telephone interview on 03/04/20 at 07:31 AM with Staff (I), RN revealed that on 10/18/19, he received report on Patient #1, went in to assess him, and found he had passed away. Staff (I) pronounced his death at 07:02 AM. He contacted Staff (V), Physician Assistant, of the death. Staff (I) stated it is his understanding it was Staff (V)'s responsibility to notify the family. Staff (I) called the daughter at 09:30 AM, only after no family had shown up.

Review of policy "Pronouncement of Death, Postmortem Care, Autopsy, Coroner Case and Morgue" last reviewed 10/19 revealed providers pronounce death or may order an RN to pronounce death for patients on comfort care, hospice, palliative care, or terminal weaning. It is the providers responsibility to notify the family of the death.