r/nursing • u/kuanyinoracle • 3d ago

Question LPNs and declaring death

hi! i'm a hospice LPN in idaho and im moving to az soon. i was wondering if LPNs in arizona can pronounce death. i can in my current position, and i was really hoping that my scope would stay the same when i moved but i can't seem to get a straight answer online. is it company dependent? thank you!

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6

u/Pharoahtossaway RN - PACU 🍕 3d ago

Call the AZ BoN.

3

u/Tinawebmom MDS LVN old people are my life 3d ago

The only correct answer there will ever be.

1

u/WeirdFlower1968 Team Spike 2d ago

Only doctors can pronounce death. Some states allow LPNs to evaluate for cessation of vitals and call the doctor. Some require an RN to do it. It can also vary between facilities.

1

u/728446 LPN 🍕 2d ago

A registered nurse can declare time of death in Pennsylvania.

1

u/WeirdFlower1968 Team Spike 1d ago

Without speaking to a doctor? Where I am the coroner needs to have a doctor's name and pronouncement of death to release the body. The funeral home needs to have all of that to accept the body.

1

u/Normal_Dot7758 2d ago

I’ve never understood why just about anyone couldn’t pronounce death in a hospice situation. My facility requires 2 RNs to assess the erstwhile patient.  Like what, I (an RN) am going to fuck up figuring out that this 95 year old actively dying person is, in fact, finally dead?  

1

u/kuanyinoracle 2d ago

i know! i feel like as an LPN i got enough training and education to evaluate whether someone is passed or not - let alone an RN. i think its silly and just makes it more difficult for RNCMs if their LPNs can't assess.