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Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023) |
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Title7 Municipalities |
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SubTitle7-62-1_7-62-3. Pronouncement of Death by a Registered Nurse |
| Sec. 7-62-1. Definitions |
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Latest version.
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(a) "Determination of Death" means observation and assessment that a person has ceased vital bodily functions irreversibly including, but not limited to, the following: pulse, respiration, heartbeat, and pupil reaction. (b) "Pronouncement of Death" is the declaration by the registered nurse who has made the determination of death. (c) "Anticipated Death" is death which is, in the opinion of the attending physician, expected due to illness, infirmity or disease. |
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(Effective October 20, 1988) |
| Sec. 7-62-2. Determination of prognosis by physician |
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Latest version.
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(a) An attending physician who has determined that the prognosis for a patient is for an anticipated death shall: (1) document such determination in the patient's medical or clinical record; and (2) at the time of such determination and documentation, authorize in writing a specific registered nurse or nurses to make a determination and pronouncement of death, except when an anticipated death occurs in an institution which has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to section 7-62-3 of these regulations. The physician may authorize registered nurse employees in such institution to make a determination and pronouncement of death. (b) The determination and documentation by an attending physician that the prognosis for a patient is for an anticipated death shall be valid for a period of time not to exceed 120 days. (c) A registered nurse who has determined and pronounced death shall document the clinical criteria for such determination and pronouncement in the patient's medical or clinical record and notify the physician who determined that the prognosis for such patient was for an anticipated death pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The registered nurse shall indicate on the death certificate the name of the deceased and the date and time of death, and shall sign the death certificate. |
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(Effective August 2, 1994) |
| Sec. 7-62-3. Policies and procedures of institutions |
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Latest version.
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Any institution, as defined in subsection (a) of section 19a-490 of the Connecticut General Statutes, which employs a registered nurse functioning pursuant to these regulations shall adopt policies and procedures that ensure compliance with section 7-62-2 of these regulations. A registered nurse employed by such institution may not make a determination on pronouncement of death unless the facility or agency has written policies implementing and ensuring compliance with section 7-62-2 of these regulations. |
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(Effective October 20, 1988) |