I signed my first death certificate today.

[Aristus]

First time in twelve years of practice.

I wasn't present when the patient died, and I wasn't the one who pronounced him dead. But for some weird bureaucratic reason, I was required to sign the death certificate. I was his primary care provider, but I hadn't seen him in clinic for about five months. I get a death notice from one of the local hospitals every couple of months regarding one of my patients. But no one has ever expected me to sign the death certificate before.

Strange sensation.

[drray23]

1. Weird. How can they expect you to assert that patient is deceased

if you were not at the hospital and did not take part in the care prior to that patient's death ?

[Aristus]

5. Well, I can access the patient's record from the encounter that ended with his death.

I just copy the info down on the death certificate. The regional manager of my medical organization says he ran it by Legal first, and that it's okay to do it this way. But it still seems weird.

[question everything]

2. A sign that you are growing up?

I remember a friend who was in medical school and was part of a group, or something, that disconnected the machines.

Yes, you go to medical school because you want to heal people but, especially these past two years too many dead.

[MyOwnPeace]

3. Ugh! Awesome responsibility - part of the job, I guess......

Well, somebody has to do it...... tough duty.....

[Harker]

4. If you'll pardon my asking...

Did you go to view the body?

[Aristus]

6. No. That's what's weird about it.

The only reason it seems I'm signing the paperwork is because I was his primary care provider. My supervising physician told me he does this kind of thing all the time, so I guess it's common practice. I had just never done it before.

[Harker]

10. Ah.

My dear first wife's death certificate was signed by her primary care doctor.

I looked at his signature, and the heirarchical causes of death he'd penned in, and wondered if he had gone to identify her body and make it official, or whether it was merely clerical.

That is weird.

[Nittersing]

7. Strange sensation... indeed

The finality of it all... who will see it? who will need it? Farewell fellow human.

[Aristus]

8. His brother, for starters.

He is making the arrangements with the funeral home, and they need to see the certificate.

[Nittersing]

9. Glad he had family. nt

[FarPoint]

11. I had to sign a birth certificate.....

When I delivered a baby at a "Clinic" ....was the RN in Charge....that was new for me.

[Aristus]

12. Whew. Rough.

At least my patient was in his sixties.

[FarPoint]

13. It was exciting....

[Karadeniz]

14. Very strange...