I know doctors and nurses can pronounce someone dead...
But are paramedics, police, and/or firemen allowed to pronounce someone dead if they find the person DoA or the person dies in transit to the hospital?
2007-06-01 21:26:02 · 14 answers · asked by atsui_105 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
When I was in EMT training they said the coroner had to declare somebody legally dead. But they were speaking about a body found on the street. Obviously a Doctor at the hospital where you take a patient can pronounce a patient dead as well. You wouldn't declare somebody dead in transit even if you knew they were but would continue trying to revive them and let the Doctor make the determination. The hospital can revive people where an ambulance crew might not be able to so you wouldn't declare them dead enroute.
Like the other guy said, EMT's and Paramedics can tell if someone is dead. But the guy is wrong when he says they cannot pronounce someone as being dead. They do so at times. There are horrible "horrific" accidents where it is obvious where somebody is dead. There are also signs of post mortem lividity and fully dilated pupils and rigor mortis.
If there is any chance of life the patient is rushed to the hospital. But in cases of obvious death a paramedic or EMT can say that somebody is dead then the coroner would be called. The coroner makes the final legal determination. The coroner is very busy and can't rush to every scene in a matter of minutes. So if you were sure somebody was dead you would call in with your findings before taking other action.
If somebody is beyond help there is no reason to treat. But with lawsuits so common I am sure that paramedics, police, and firemen are very careful about who they start to treat and would rarely cease treatment or other life saving techniques before they got to the hospital.
2007-06-01 22:33:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think everyone covered this pretty well I just wanted to make a correction.
Trout said a nurse cannot pronounce - this is not exactly true. In the hospital setting most of the time - no. In small rural hospitals, certain types of long term care settings, and in Hospice (varies by state) a nurse can pronounce. This is not universal varies widely by state.
2007-06-01 23:53:17 · answer #2 · answered by Susie D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A doctor or the Coroner. Police can say they are dead (and those in homicide know when they are) but that has to be backed up with the Coroner when he/she is called to the scene and the Coroner will sign the paperwork making the declaration and usually does an autopsy.
2007-06-02 00:29:20 · answer #3 · answered by KittyKat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
EMT's and Paramedics can tell if someone is dead, but they cannot officially pronounce someone dead. That is done either by a physician or the coroner.
2007-06-01 21:33:39 · answer #4 · answered by C J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the state. Most states require a doctor to pronounce someone dead. That is why all patients are transported to the hospital.
2007-06-01 21:30:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only an MD or coroner can officially pronounce someone dead. Others may know one is deceased but do not have the authority to officially do so.
2007-06-01 21:44:44 · answer #6 · answered by flamingo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this person is saying words that is not distinguishable and is basically mumbles this is basically neurolgical ticks just as when a person is dead and begins to decompose the body fills up with gas and as the gas escapes from the mouth the person appears to be talking but it is just gas escaping from the stomach through the vocal cords and just appears as if that person is saying something. This is what is probably happening to your friend. If he has been diagnosed as clinically brain dead he is no longer with us and his body is being kept alive by artificial means. His soul has gone on and just the shell is with us. Say good bye and allow him to rest in peace.
2016-03-19 01:55:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ambos, paramedics, police, firemen etc cant "pronounce" someone dead. They can however decide that someone is beyond treatment and either cease or not commence CPR or other life saving/prolonging procedures.
2007-06-01 21:38:24 · answer #8 · answered by J D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is ussually pretty obvious but no they can not pronounce someone dead Nither can a nurse - It must be a medical doctor - Cause of death must be a coroner
2007-06-01 21:33:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A medical doctor who is his doctor can also pronounce that a person is dead...
2007-06-01 21:54:04 · answer #10 · answered by rauma_raumamary 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋