Passing on death: An audit of the terminology utilized in discharge summaries for deceased patients.

ABSTRACT

A retrospective audit of terminology utilized in discharge summaries to convey the death of inpatients in an Australian tertiary hospital was undertaken. Completion rates of summaries for this patient cohort were also assessed. Less than 60% had a summary finalized, and for those that did, euphemisms were utilized most commonly; passed away was employed in >70% of cases. There is no difference in terminology choice between doctors at the beginning, compared to the end, of their first year as a doctor, nor between first year or more experienced doctors. Irrespective of clinician level, doctors use euphemisms to convey a death.