10A NCAC 28B .0208. DEATHS AND AUTOPSIES

(a)  The State Facility Director shall adopt a written policy, available to the client upon request, specifying procedures to be taken upon the death of a client which shall provide for:

(1)           a physician's certification of the death as soon as possible;

(2)           making reasonable efforts to locate the client's next of kin;

(3)           notification of the State Facility Director and the internal client advocate;

(4)           notification of the County Medical Examiner when the attending physician or State Facility Director (at the time of the client's death) determines that the death falls under the jurisdiction of the County Medical Examiner as specified in G.S. 130A‑383 and 130A‑389; and documentation of the Medical Examiner's report in the client record; and

(5)           disposition of the body when no next of kin or interested individuals can be located and no funeral arrangements have been made, including notification of the Commission of Anatomy as specified in G.S. 130A‑415.

(b)  A competent client, or incompetent adult client or minor client through his legally responsible person, has the right to prearrange his funeral at no expense to the state.

(c)  No autopsy shall be performed on the body of a deceased client unless permission has been given for the autopsy by the appropriate person as specified in G.S. 130A‑398 or unless such autopsy is otherwise required or permitted by law as specified in G.S. 130A‑389, 130A‑399 or 130A‑400.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑383; 130A‑389; 130A‑398 through 130A‑400; 130A‑415; 143B‑147;

Eff. October 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1990; July 1, 1989.