Generate death pronouncement note
AI creates complete death pronouncement note documenting exam findings, time of death, and required elements.
Generate death pronouncement note
River's Death Pronouncement Note Generator creates complete death pronouncement documentation for medical records. You provide the clinical context, and the AI generates professional pronouncement note including time and date of death, exam findings confirming death (absence of vital signs, no heart sounds, no breath sounds, fixed and dilated pupils), who was notified, circumstances of death, and any other required documentation elements. The note is respectful, complete, and meets documentation standards. Perfect for physicians pronouncing death, residents learning proper documentation, or any clinician needing death pronouncement templates.
Unlike incomplete or inconsistent death documentation, these notes ensure all required elements are addressed systematically. Complete death pronouncement notes document the legal fact of death, support death certificate completion, provide information for medical examiner referral decisions, and create proper record for family and administrative purposes. The AI structures notes professionally while maintaining appropriate tone for this sensitive documentation. When death pronouncement is documented completely, it meets legal and clinical requirements.
This tool is perfect for physicians pronouncing death in hospitals or nursing homes, residents learning proper death documentation, hospitalists managing end-of-life care, or any clinician needing death pronouncement templates. If your death notes lack consistency or completeness, this provides professional structure. Use it for any death pronouncement requiring documentation.
Death Pronouncement Documentation
Death pronouncement documentation includes essential elements: date and time of death pronouncement (when you examined patient and confirmed death), exam findings confirming death (absence of heart sounds, absence of breath sounds, absence of pulse, fixed and dilated pupils, absence of response to stimuli), who pronounced death, who was notified (attending physician, family, nursing supervisor, medical examiner if applicable), and circumstances of death (expected vs unexpected, resuscitation attempted or not, advance directives in place). Some institutions require specific exam elements or timing of exams. Know your facility's requirements.
Exam findings should document absence of vital functions. Standard elements include: no heart sounds on auscultation for at least 1 minute, no breath sounds on auscultation, no palpable pulse, pupils fixed and dilated (or document size if different), no corneal reflex, no response to painful stimuli, patient pulseless and apneic. Some institutions use EKG showing asystole for hospital deaths. Document what you assessed. Be factual and clear. This is legal documentation of death. Your note may be used for death certificate, medical examiner referral, or administrative purposes.
Know when medical examiner or coroner notification is required. This varies by jurisdiction but typically includes unexpected deaths, deaths within 24 hours of hospital admission, trauma deaths, possible homicide or suicide, deaths under anesthesia or during procedures, possible poisoning or overdose, deaths without recent physician contact, and sometimes in-hospital deaths depending on circumstances. Document that medical examiner was contacted if required, or document that case doesn't meet medical examiner criteria. Notify appropriate people: attending physician, nursing supervisor, family, and patient's designated contacts. Document these notifications with time.
What You Get
Complete death pronouncement note
Date and time of death documented
Physical exam findings confirming death
Required notifications documented
Circumstances of death noted
Professional, respectful tone
How It Works
- 1Provide clinical informationShare circumstances, exam findings, who was notified
- 2AI writes death noteCreates complete pronouncement note in 1-2 minutes
- 3Review and verifyEnsure accuracy and completeness of documentation
- 4Paste into medical recordCopy death note into patient's chart
Frequently Asked Questions
What exam findings are required to pronounce death?
Standard findings include absence of heart sounds, absence of breath sounds, absence of pulse, fixed and dilated pupils, absence of corneal reflex, and no response to stimuli. Document auscultation for heart and breath sounds for at least 1 minute. Some facilities require two separate exams separated by time period, or EKG showing asystole. Check your institution's policy. Be thorough and document what you assessed. This is legal confirmation of death.
How do I determine time of death?
Time of death is typically when you examined patient and confirmed death, not when patient actually died (which may be unknown if patient found unresponsive). Document: 'Patient pronounced dead at [time] on [date].' If death was witnessed and time of arrest known, you might note: 'Patient suffered cardiac arrest at 14:15. Resuscitation attempted without success. Patient pronounced dead at 14:45.' Be clear about what time represents (pronouncement time vs arrest time).
When do I need to call the medical examiner?
Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Generally contact medical examiner for: unexpected deaths, trauma deaths, deaths within 24 hours of admission, possible homicide or suicide, deaths without recent physician contact, deaths under anesthesia or during procedures, possible overdose or poisoning, suspicious circumstances. When in doubt, call medical examiner and let them decide if they'll take case. Document that medical examiner was contacted and their decision. If case is accepted, body becomes evidence and medical examiner determines disposition.
What do I document about family notification?
Document who was notified of death, when, and by what method (in person, phone call). Example: 'Patient's daughter Jane Smith notified of death by phone at 15:30, expressed understanding.' If family was present at bedside, note that. If unable to reach family, document your attempts. This documentation shows appropriate communication occurred. Remember to be compassionate when notifying family, and give them time to process. Offer to answer questions and provide support resources.
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