In May, Lancaster General Hospital introduced the Decedent Care Department to provide guidance and support for families who have lost a loved one. The new department also partners with clinicians and community services to ensure a seamless transition of care.
“The Decedent Care Department informally began two years ago after our department conducted an A3. We realized that clinicians, families and community partners needed a centralized contact to ensure that paperwork was completed in a timely manner,” shared Tara Burkett, supervisor Registration. “At that time the Admitting Office began to devote resources to the administrative tasks surrounding decedent care. Now, our hope is to expand the services we offer to better serve our families, staff and community partners.”
Prior to the creation of the Decedent Care Department, the Admitting Office managed the transfer of care, in addition to admitting tasks. In order to ensure the appropriate amount of time was dedicated to collaborating between families, case workers, chaplaincy services and clinicians, LGH dedicated personnel to facilitate decedent care services.
“We recognize that this a difficult time for our families and staff. Through our work, we look to foster cooperation of essential services so that we can provide timely care,” explained Lily Marco, decedent care navigator.
The decedent care navigator will also administer LGH’s transition to the Electronic Death Registration System. This move will streamline paperwork process.
Decedent Care has plans to eventually work with families facing the loss of a loved one — connecting families with the appropriate services. Marco explained that the position will also work with case workers, providers, nursing staff and community partners to make sure the needs of families facing a loss are met in a timely fashion.