Can paramedics in the US declare someone dead?

Question

If paramedics arrive at the scene of an accident, and the victim is clearly dead, do the paramedics have the jurisdiction to declare the victim as being dead? I thought I heard somewhere that they are not allowed to, that they have to continue working on a patient no matter how futile it may seem until they get to a hospital and the doctor can declare death.

This is for a short story I'm writing for school. Just want to get the details clear.

Also, I know there are different "levels" of paramedics in the US - so for the purpose of the question I just mean the highest one.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Depends on the state.

Answer 2

When my wife died at home, unexpectedly, at 36 years old, 911 sent paramedics, amongst others. When the paramedics arrived, they did not start working on her at all. I stopped my fruitless CPR efforts and asked the obvious question, and they confirmed that she was gone. They very gently got me up off the floor, and into a chair several feet away, while a fireman covered her with a blanket.

It turned out that she'd been gone for six hours, overwhelmed by bronchitis that had transitioned into a very fast-moving pneumonia.

I already knew … sensed it from the moment I saw her … that she was gone, and it never crossed my mind to question their lack of action. In the 26 years since then, I have learned more than I wish I had about the obvious visual signs that a person at ceased to live several hours before. Paramedics are trained to know when resuscitation efforts are utterly futile, and not further distress loved ones with the false hope of a pointless show that only underscores the finality.

Answer 3

No, the paramedics don't officially declare someone dead. I had to call 911 the morning my father died in front of me. I was pretty sure he was dead of a massive coronary before I could even get to the phone. Long story short, the paramedics arrived very quickly and got out their equipment, but didn't do much other than lay my father down on the floor. In response to their question, I told them he had a Do Not Resuscitate order and gave them a copy. Even though he was already dead, they would have had to work on him if not for the DNR.

After they made a few calls, including to my father's doctor who had seen us at his office 2 days earlier, the Cuyahoga County coroner said an autopsy would not be required. The doctor is who officially declared my father dead with input from the paramedics re: time of death, what they saw, what I said, etc.

By the way, the paramedics also called the funeral home for me to arrange for them to come and get my father. A couple of police officers stayed with me until after my father's body was taken. The paramedics and police were very professional and very kind.

This is how it worked for me in Ohio.

Answer 4

different states have different regulations. In paramedic school you are taught to save lives and check for certain things. your A.B.C's if the patient is clearly dead from a fatal wound or has been dead for some time they don't have to continue working on the patient. The only person that can declare death is a Doctor. the time of death of a transported patient is in the ER when the doctor declares the death.

Answer 5

Yes, in California a paramedic can declare someone dead. A peace officer may also make that declaration under certain circumstances.

Answer 6

Actually, ANYONE is allowed to declare someone dead. You have look at the circumstances of each case, though. For example, if someone is decapitated, then it is obvious that the person is dead and anyone can made that declaration. You don't have to be a doctor, paramedic, fireman, police officer, etc. Some people are under the mistaken assumption that you have to be a doctor or some official to declare someone dead. You don't.

Answer 7

No, they do not have to work on someone until they get to the hospital.

If they roll up on a scene and someone's brains are all over the highway, they are just going to toss a blanket over them until they can get the body loaded up.

They aren't "declaring" them dead. But based on their training and experience, they know they can't do anything for that person.

As for levels of EMS, there are several.

EMT- Basic Basic level, certification is usually just a 3 week course. They provide very basic care.

EMT-I Intermediate A step up, more advanced care, usually a couple months of training.

Then there are Paramedics. They generally have 2 year associate degrees. They can give drugs in the field and even perform surgical techniques. There are also other certifications for paramedics that allow them to do more things.

Answer 8

There are 3 people that can declare death:
1. Medical Doctor
2. Coroner / Medical Examiner
3. Registered Nurse
If you die somewhere other than a hospital, a paramedic CANNOT pronounce, they must either call the coroner/medical examiner or take the person to the hospital to be pronounced. The police cannot pronounce and neither can the fire department.

All these answers about anyone being able to declare (obviously incorrect), and that only patholigists can determine cause of death (wrong again, I have medical doctors give me causes of death on death certificates every single day) are all incorrect.

Answer 9

Very unlikely that a paramedic can sign a death certificate or make the declaration. The actual declaration should be made by someone with MUCH more training and experience. It likely must be an MD that makes the actual declaration.

Answer 10

For the most part they can. Obvious signs are: head missing, body torn in half, burned to crisp, etc. Training is required, and as far as I know, only paramedics (not EMTs) can declare in obvious cases. In the past, they were forced to do all they could for even obviously dead people.

Answer 11

A PARA MEDIC IS NEXT TO A DOCTOR AS IS AN RN--BUT NEITHER OF THEM CAN DECLARE THE PERSON DEAD. ONLY A DOCTOR CAN SIGN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE AND ONLY A AUTOPSY (PATHOLOGIST) CAN DECLARE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. EXCEPTION IS WHEN ONE HAS BEEN SICK AND UNDER DOCTORS CARE AND THE DEATH IS A CERTAINTY OF OLD AGE OR UNDERLYING CAUSES OF A NATURAL DEATH THAT AN AUTOPSY MANY NOT HAVE TO BE DONE.

THE LAW YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT IS THE GOOD SAMARITAN LAW AND YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMEONE YOU GAVE AID TO UNDER THE FACT THAT THEY NEEDED FIRST AID--NOW FIRST AID(LIFE SUPPORT CAN BE STOPPED BY A PARA MEDIC WHEN IT IS EVIDENT THAT ALL ACTIONS TO SAVE THE LIFE HAVE FAILED. IF THE BODILY FUNCTIONS HAVE CEASED AND A PERSON HAS DEFECATED AND URINATED AND HAS NO SIGN OF LIFE OR EXPECTED SHOW A SIGN OF LIFE OR HAS NOT RESPONDED A MEDIC MAY CEASE FIRST AID KNOWING THERE IS NO SEN CE IN IT--BUT MOST CARRY ON THE SHOW SO BYSTANDERS AND THE FAMILY HAVE A GLIMMER OF HOPE AND THINK THEY HAD NOT DIED TILL ARRIVAL AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE DEATH CAN BE PRONOUNCED LEGALLY.