Helping hospital mortuaries to identify patients

When a patient has died, it’s important for us to fill out a body label tag to help a hospital mortuary identify them.

A body label should be used for all patients where the death is not expected, and where the police will become involved on behalf of the coroner. This should also include when a patient has died in the ambulance, and if you have taken them directly to the hospital mortuary.

The label must be completed and attached to the patient on their wrist or ankle, ideally using the left ankle. It should include:

• the patient’s name, if known, or location of incident
• a CAD reference number
• the date and time of recognition of life extinct
• the employee number of the individual who has confirmed recognition of life extinct.

The label is in addition to the patient care record and ROLE form; they should be carried on all vehicles and are available via stores. 

Further information can be found within the Trust’s Clinical Manual or you can call the Clinical Advice Line on 07753 950843 if you’re on scene and would like guidance.

A printable copy of this update can be downloaded from East24 here.

 Published 5th January, 2017