How to

How to care for a patient after death in hospital

Rationale and key points

This article provides nurses with information about how to care for a patient after death and support their family in the hospital setting.

Care after death involves supporting the family and significant others, and providing personal care to the patient.

Staff undertaking care after death should be offered appropriate support.

Local and national guidelines should be followed.

Reflective activity

Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:

How you think this article will change your practice.

How this article could help you to consider the support mechanisms in your practice setting for the provision of care after death.

Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio.

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