Defense Date

12-2-2020

Graduation Date

Fall 12-18-2020

Submission Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

School

School of Nursing

Faculty Mentor

Catherine Johnson

Keywords

Unclaimed decedent, next of kin, coroner, potters field, indigent, medical examiner, driver's license next of kin

Abstract

Abstract

In Pennsylvania, there has been a rise in unclaimed decedents within Third-Class and Fifth-Class county coroner offices. Decreasing the number of unclaimed decedents in Third-Class and Fifth-Class Pennsylvania coroners offices is the goal for this healthcare policy analysis project. Using the Bardach’s eight step policy analysis problem solving technique, the data and the project outcomes will be presented to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Data collection began with a questionnaire sent to all 67 counties to determine who had access to the Pennsylvania driver’s license database entitled Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET). Fourteen of 67 counties have partial access and use the JNET database. In Third-Class counties, only three out of twelve have partial access and in Fifth-Class counties only one out of seven have partial access. Third-Class and Fifth-Class Pennsylvania counties were also asked and responded with their total number of unclaimed decedents from 2015-2019. Descriptive bar graphs and pie charts were used to visually demonstrate data outcomes. The data collected did support the need for a healthcare policy analysis project regarding next of kin notification becoming more visible on PennDOT’s driver’s license and identification card application and renewal process web pages. Success of this project is determinant on PennDOT’s decision based upon project data.

Language

English

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