La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-903

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-903 - Applicability

A. In accordance with R.S. 33:1568.1, it is the duty of the coroner to make every reasonable effort to notify the next of kin in all cases of deaths for which he has jurisdiction, including but not limited to deaths enumerated in R.S. 33:1561(A).

B. Additionally, Act 250 passed in the 1983 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature states that in all other cases, including cases where a person dies of natural causes, the following persons, or their designees, shall make every reasonable effort to notify the next of kin within 48 hours of discovery of the death:

1. the attending physician, if the patient has been examined by the physician within 36 hours prior to death or the medical officer on duty at the time of death; or

2. the administrator of the hospital in which the person dies; or

3. the administrator or executive director of the nursing home or other facility in which the person dies; or

4. the chief of police or other chief officer of a local law enforcement agency which discovers the body of the deceased; or

5. if the patient/client is a prisoner from a penal facility the physician shall notify the penal institution which has the responsibility to notify the next of kin.

C. If a body remains unclaimed, procedures for the disposition of an unclaimed body (DHHR Policy 0010-80) shall be followed. Every DHHR institution/facility shall comply with all other federal and state laws and licensing requirements regarding notification of next of kin.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-903

Promulgated by Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Secretary, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 33:1568.1, 33:15161, Act 250 of 1983.