Deaths During Medical Procedures

Deaths During Medical Procedures In order for a death occurring during a therapeutic procedure to be a Medical Examiner case, the death must be medically unexpected. “Medically unexpected” is defined as a death that is unassociated with known natural disease and the decedent’s comorbidities. So that proper investigation can be made in Medical Examiner Cases, the attending physician must immediately notify the Medical Examiner when death is pronounced. In such Medical Examiner cases, all apparatus of any type which was utilized in the therapy of the patient at the time of death, including but not limited to intravenous set-ups and medications, electrical equipment, anesthesia machines and their connections and gas cylinders, must remain in place as they existed at the time of death and may not be disturbed or removed until and unless permission from the Medical Examiner is obtained.