Emergency Department checklist following the death of a child

The Emergency Department Check list is to be used as a tool to ensure that appropriate professionals/services are informed of the death of the baby/child and that the family is supported through this difficult time.

Date______

Time______

Completed by______

Name
Team Leader (Dr)
Nurse 1
Nurse 2
Support worker/play leader
Police Officer 1
Police Officer 2
  1. Contact Social Services as part of Rapid Response

Name and Number of Social Services Team Contacted:
Name of Social Worker who received call:
Name of child’s social worker:
Is the child on a child protection plan?
Is the child or any siblings known to social care?
Comments/actions: (include any issues of abuse or neglect when child has presented or when examined by paediatrician/TVP and agreed action to protect siblings)
  1. Further Contacts:

Name of person contacted/comments/Actions
For children under 5 years contact the BHFT Rapid Response Team health visitor team on : 01628 632012
Assess/discuss need for joint home visit with police.
For neonatal death < 28 days contact senior midwife bleep 179
Family: brief history and structure of family
Who is in attendance and viewed?
Nursing Actions: / Yes/No/Comments
Clothes and nappy removed, bagged separately and labelled for pathologist/forensics?
If applicable label and bag bedding.
To ensure forensic evidence is not destroyed wipe away any vomit etc. using damp cloth which is to be separately bagged
Ensure the baby/child is in new clothing, nappy and shawl
Ensure parent(s) are asked if they want to hold their child, discrete observation must be maintained
Did parent(s) hold child?
Parent’s verbal consent for photos/hair/hand foot prints?
Ensure Police consent for keep sake hand and foot prints and lock of hair.
Name of Police Officer consulted:
Completed / Stored / Given
Photographs
Lock of Hair
Hand/foot prints

Who to Inform

Informed? / Date/time/Initial
Coroner (ext 7745/8789 – in hours, out of hours via Police)
Police – if not already aware.
GP
Health visitor/school or community nurse
Consultants (if child known)
ED reception to update EPR
Designated professional for child death 8253
Dedicated mobile 07795120628
Email
Named Nurse CP ext 8046 [confidential voicemail] or 07795266350.
Child Death Overview Panel Coordinator 07850 209095 [confidential voicemail]
Further Nursing Actions: / Yes/No/Comments
Offer the family spiritual support/chaplaincy if appropriate
Inform medical photography for permanent photos
If appropriate discuss tissue donation
Offer of a follow up phone call
Ensure the family are aware of ‘what happens next’ (Coroner, joint home visits, multidisciplinary team meeting, Post Mortem, viewings, physical problems for mother (breast engorgement) etc.
Paediatric bereavement booklet given and explained
Remembrance booklet completed and given if appropriate
Consider if any other specialist action or support is required

Transfer to Mortuary

  • Mortuary aware of admission
  • Baby/child moved in/on:

Small remains carrier  Concealment Trolley 

  • Accompanied by nurse:
  • Ensure copy of all notes, completed protocol and hospital file including a copy of this checklist accompany baby/child to the mortuary/ward 
  • On exceptional occasions it may be appropriate to transfer the deceased baby/child to the children’s ward to offer more time for the family to be with their child.
  • However in order to preserve the body it must be refrigerated within 4 hours of the child/baby dying. The paediatric wards have access to ‘cold cots/beds’ that can be used to help preserve the body for longer allowing several more hours.
  • The staff on the paediatric wards are trained in the use of this equipment. The ‘cold cot/bed’ can also be transferred to ED if required. This can be arranged via the paediatric co-ordinator.
  • The paediatric wards can arrange for the deceased child to be transferred to Naomi House or Helen House where there are also appropriate refrigeration facilities. This will be done in liaison with the mortuary. All deceased children must be transferred to the mortuary before leaving the Trust.
  • Transfer of a deceased body must be in an appropriate concealment trolley or small remains carrier to the mortuary.
  • The body must be transferred to the ward or mortuary separately from the family.
  • If the deceased is over 16 years of age and still under the care of paediatrics it can be discussed with the paediatric consultant as to whether the transfer to a paediatric ward is appropriate.

1

Ver 9 March 2016