Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

The performance of procedures on the recently deceased.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of performing procedures on the recently deceased for training purposes in emergency departments (EDs) with emergency medicine (EM) training programs.

METHODS: Surveys were mailed to program directors of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved residency programs in EM. A check-off system was used to identify which procedures were performed and who performed the procedure. The survey also documented whether consent was obtained and whether written policies exist that address this issue. A Likert scale was used to evaluate respondents' attitudes toward this practice.

RESULTS: Ninety-six (83%) of 116 surveys were returned. Forty-seven percent of the respondents indicated procedures were performed on the recently deceased for teaching purposes in their EDs. Emergency medicine residents perform the procedures in all departments where this practice occurs, with off-service residents and medical students using this technique in half of those departments. Paramedics, flight nurses, and attending physicians occasionally use this resource. Endotracheal intubation was the most commonly performed procedure. Seventy-six percent stated they "almost never" obtain consent from family members. Only four of 96 respondents have written policies concerning this practice. The majority of program directors (69%) would favor a position statement from a national EM organization concerning this issue, while 11% were opposed.

CONCLUSIONS: The performance of procedures on the recently deceased is a common and important practice in EM training programs. Consent is infrequently obtained and policies concerning this practice are rare and restrictive when present.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app