Scenario: 91 yo M pt VSA, last seen 7 hours ago, extensive medical hx, rigid in his jaw, mouth shut, no lividity, incontinent of urine, coffee ground emesis to his upper shirt, pale, cold to touch and hx of pacemaker. In and out of hospital multiple times recently. General decline recently. Would you be at fault to fit this pt in the deceased pt standard since there is only rigidity to his jaw? Does rigidity have to be gross for a pt to fit the deceased standard? Does hx and last seen baseline alter the deceased pt standard?  

Regarding the BLS PCS Deceased Patient Standard. A patient may meet the “Obviously Dead Criteria” if they have, “absence of vital signs and gross rigor mortis (i.e. limbs and/or body stiff, posturing of limbs or body). If only the jaw is rigid, it would be reasonable to consider starting resuscitation. There are other conditions that may cause the jaw to be rigid in isolation. Gross rigor mortis would involve more than one muscle group.  

History and last seen baseline does not alter the Deceased Patient Standard. However, these details would be important to share with the BHP if you are calling for a Medical TOR after initiating resuscitation, if the patient were to meet TOR criteria. 

Cardiac/Circulation,Medical Cardiac Arrest

BLS-PCS, Deceased Patient Standard, Jaw stiffness, Last seen well, Medical History, Medical TOR, Obviously Dead Criteria, Rigor Mortis

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