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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI signed my first death certificate today.
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
(7,619 posts)if you were not at the hospital and did not take part in the care prior to that patient's death ?
Aristus
(66,294 posts)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
(47,440 posts)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
(16,920 posts)Well, somebody has to do it...... tough duty.....
Harker
(13,988 posts)Did you go to view the body?
Aristus
(66,294 posts)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.
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
(6,347 posts)The finality of it all... who will see it? who will need it? Farewell fellow human.
Aristus
(66,294 posts)He is making the arrangements with the funeral home, and they need to see the certificate.
Nittersing
(6,347 posts)FarPoint
(12,293 posts)When I delivered a baby at a "Clinic" ....was the RN in Charge....that was new for me.
Aristus
(66,294 posts)At least my patient was in his sixties.