title: Expanding the concept of patient care: analysis of postmortem policies in California hospitals.
abstract: Postmortem care is a component of every clinical specialty in nursing. Yet little systematic study of evidence-based practice has been done on postmortem care. This study analyzed the postmortem policies in some California hospitals in order to describe the current practice. Results showed hospital polices focus primarily on the "must and shalls" of legal procedures and physical preparation of the body. Additional areas of focus are suggested for consideration.
authors.affiliation: California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith-Stoner
authors.forename: Mikel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hand
mesh_terms: D001601:Bereavement; D002140:California; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003643:Death; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000592:standards; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D005791:Patient Care; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013727:Terminal Care