If a patient expires during transport and further action needs to be taken, what is one of the direct options?

When a patient expires during transport, the most appropriate course of action to ensure that legal and ethical guidelines are followed is to continue towards the designated medical facility or destination for proper documentation of the event. This is important because healthcare providers have a duty to document the circumstances surrounding the death, which includes any interventions made, the time of death, and the condition of the patient prior to expiration. Documentation is crucial for legal purposes and helps maintain transparency within the healthcare system.

Additionally, continuing to the destination allows for further examination and confirmation of the patient’s condition by qualified medical personnel, which may be necessary for the completion of appropriate legal and medical processes. This step ensures that all protocols are adhered to and allows for potential intervention, review, and validation of the incident.

The other options do not align with the standard protocols during such a critical moment, where maintaining the chain of responsibility and ensuring accurate records is vital. Leaving the body at the scene, informing the family before adequately handling the situation, or contacting the coroner before reaching a medical facility could disrupt necessary procedures and hinder proper follow-through on legal protocols.