Analysis of the case records for the accuracy on medical certification of cause of death in a tertiary care hospital Prakash Arun KS1,*, Sanjeev K2, Charanya S3, Senaraj PV3 1Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SRM Medical College and Research Centre, Kattankulathur 2Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SRM Medical College and Research Centre, Kattankulathur 3Tutor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SRM Medical College and Research Centre, Kattankulathur *Corresponding Author, Dr. Arun KS Prakash, Email: kprakash@srmist.edu.in / drarunksprakash@gmail.com, Mobile No.: +91 98422 92308
Online Published on 2 January, 2024. Abstract When a patient dies unexpectedly, the physicinas will issue a certificate stating the cause of death. Incorrect and incomplete information on such certificates makes it difficult to obtain accurate information about the cause of death hindering the Public Health Surveillance and investigations. Our study aims to determine the accuracy and completeness of medical certification of cause of death. From 1st March 2019 and 31st July 2019, a total of 246 certificates on the cause of death issued to various departments were reviewed. Nearly 40% of death certificates were from the medical ward, 23% were from the emergency ward, and 27% listed the main cause as the main cause of death is the cardiovascular disease. RTA, suicide, homicide, and septicemia accounted for nearly 17% of death certificates, while 72% of the immediate lines were filled out correctly. 78% of the Antecedent line's fields were correctly filled, 65% were correctly filled on the underlying line, and 35% were filled incorrectly. Regarding errors, 33% of the certificates had one error, and 26% had two. Four or more errors were in 12% of the certificates. Only 9% of them had no error. It is necessary to take a multifaceted approach to raise doctors' knowledge and awareness of MCCD rules and regulations to improve the accuracy and dependability of data. According to this research, it is necessary to implement interventions that include tested education, system-related support, and additional training tailored to the completion of death certificates. Top Keywords Death certificates, Medical certification of cause of death, MCCD errors, Cause of death. Top |