After Death – Coroners and Cremation Forms
Scenario 1
Don is a 54-year-old driving instructor who presents to the surgery with central crushing chest pain. An ECG demonstrates that he is having a heart attack. Whilst waiting for the ambulance he continues to deteriorate and goes into ventricular tachycardia. Staff begin CPR and shock him back into a normal rhythm, but he does not regain consciousness. He is intubated at the scene and taken to the nearest intensive care unit. Unfortunately, less than 24 hours later he suffers another cardiac arrest and doctors are unable to resuscitate him.
Scenario 2
Eva is a 22-year-old ballet dancer who has been involved in a road traffic accident. She is confirmed dead at the scene by the paramedics.
Scenario 3
Martha has end-stage lung fibrosis. She is seen by her GP due to an exacerbation in her condition.
He feels she needs hospital admission but Martha declines. She fully understands that refusing admission is likely to result in her death but she has made a conscious decision to die at home surrounded by her extensive family. They are all in support of her decision. Some days later her daughter rings to inform the GP that Martha has died.
- What is the role of the coroner?
- When should deaths be referred to the coroner?
- How do you refer to the coroner?
Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)
