|
Sudden,
Unexpected Death
|
Expected
Death
|
Approach
of death |
Immediate or over very
short time.
|
Gradual.
|
Nature of illness or injury
|
Acute process or acute
worsening of a stable chronic illness.
|
Chronic-usually an illness
or combination of illnesses.
|
Causes of death
|
Disease, suicide, homicide,
accidental, dsaster, unknown cause.
|
Usually dsease or a result
of aging processes.
|
Age of decedent
|
Any age, commonly young
or middle-aged adults, fetuses, and neonates.
|
Usually elderly but can
occur at any age.
|
Place of death
|
Usually in public, emergency
department, ICU, or work.
|
Usually home, hospital,
or nursing at home or home.
|
When death occurs
|
At the time of or shortly
after the acute event.
|
Months to decades after
diagnosis of chronic disease, or in old age.
|
Survivor reaction
|
Disbelief, shock, grief,
dsmay, disorganization, hostility, and fear.
|
Grief.
|
Survivor involvement
|
Usually not present at
time of death; appear gradually at death scene or ED.
|
Often present at time of
death or aware of impending death.
|
Site of last contact with
medical personnel
|
Public space, home, or
emergency department.
|
Hospital, home, hospice,
nursing home.
|
Resuscitation procedures
|
Often performed.
|
Rarely performed. Advance
directives often available.
|
Patient identity
|
Known or often, at least
initially, unknown.
|
Usually known.
|
Autopsy
|
Frequent and done by medical
examiner or coroner.
|
Rare, and when done, usually
by hospital pathologist.
|
Family’s immediate after-death
rituals and requirements
|
Usually not pre-arranged.
|
Often pre-arranged by individual
or family in anticipation of death.
|