Doctors CAN verify death!

Abstract

While completing death certificates and cremation forms, it was noted that documentation of death was not standardised as per the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges guidelines. Additionally, it was noted that documentation of death was placed in the wrong patients’ notes. An audit was conducted to formalise these observations. A standardised proforma containing key elements of death verification was created and implemented across the Haematology and Oncology in-patient wards. A second cycle was conducted to evaluate our compliance with national standards, and to make information that is required for filling out cremation forms readily available, so as to reduce delay.