In most cases, it is permissible to remove invasive monitoring lines and the ETT. This provides the opportunity for the family to have a last cuddle without such medical equipment in situ. Sometimes removal of medical equipment may make the pathologist's examination more difficult (eg removing an ICP catheter in a suspected case of non-accidental head trauma). Please discuss with the consultant.

Document checklist

• Coroners Deposition
• Statement of Body Identification
• Request for Coroner not to direct an autopsy
• Discharge summary

Death certificate and cremation forms should not be completed.

Notify Health Information Services (6103) - they will put history in order and collect coding data from notes.

When family have left:

• Send the history to Health information services to be copied. (The ward/unit AUM in hours and the AHC after hours are responsible to take the history to HIS for immediate copying.  
• HIS is to immediately photocopy the history and send it with all the required documents (see above) in a sealed envelop to the morgue.
• Send body to mortuary.
• Call coroner's office on 9684 4444 and tell them body is ready for collection from mortuary.

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