A 74-year-old man collapses in a shopping centre and is brought to the emergency department in cardiac arrest.…

Question

A 74-year-old man collapses in a shopping centre and is brought to the emergency department in cardiac arrest. Resuscitation is unsuccessful and he is declared dead with an endotracheal tube, an intraosseous needle and defibrillation pads in place. Nobody present knows him and no medical history is available. The consultant has already telephoned the coroner's office. An hour later a woman arrives saying she is his wife and asks to see him, and the intern asks you what the rules are. Which one o…

Accepted Answer

The duty to report falls on any person, not only doctors.

Answer

A medical certificate of cause of death should still be completed.

Answer

Removing the endotracheal tube before the family view him is required.

Answer

The coroner's finding may state whether the hospital was negligent.

Answer

The police, not the coroner, decide whether it is reportable.

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