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EMR
EMT
AEMT
Paramedic
Extended
Procedure for Reporting a Death
Clinical Indications:
Obvious Death (lividity, rigor mortis, decapitation, injuries inconsistent with life)
Field Termination of Resuscitation
Any death encountered in the field which is not transported to a hospital should be reported by the EMS agency
Steps
Performed?
Yes No
1.
Ensure the clinical indications are met and gather pertinent information
Once the determination of death is made in the field, no one will come into contact with the
patient’s body without permission of the coroner’s office representative
Ensure the evidence is preserved in a potential crime scene
Ensure police are en route, if not on scene already
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2.
Contact the Trumbull County Coroner’s Office at (330) 675-2516 and report:
Name, age, race, and sex of the decedent
Address and location of the incident
Telephone number and location of next of kin
The time of pronouncement, and who made the pronouncement
If the individual was transported, who made the transport
A brief narrative of the circumstances surrounding the death
Where the decedent was found and by whom, if known
Any past medical history
Current medications, if known
The name and telephone number of the attending physician, if known
Ensure no delay in notification, even when all of the information cannot be obtained
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3.
Ensure the coroner’s office representative will:
Contact the family physician and request that they sign the death certificate
Arrange transport of the patient’s body
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4.
In a potential crime scene, ensure the police have taken control
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5.
Once the coroner’s office has been notified and the EMS crew has received
confirmation that the coroner’s office representative will arrange transport, the EMS
crew may choose to:
Return to service for pending 911 calls
Return to a more centralized location for the purpose of adequate 911 response
Remain on scene for grievance counseling (if trained) or customer service
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Procedure for Reporting a Death