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Common errors in the completion of death certificates in teaching hospitals in northern Iran: A legal challenge.
- Source :
-
Journal of forensic and legal medicine [J Forensic Leg Med] 2024 Oct 18; Vol. 108, pp. 102779. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Oct 18. - Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- Ahead of Print
-
Abstract
- Background: The proper completion of death certificates (DCs) is of paramount importance for physicians, as they serve as vital medico-legal documents. The information contained within these certificates holds great significance in health statistics, as it serves as a crucial tool for epidemiological research and analysis.<br />Methods: This study comprises a descriptive cross-sectional analysis of all DCs issued in 2019 for approximately 1104 deceased patients at a teaching hospital in Mazandaran Province, in northern Iran. To conduct this research, a checklist was implemented, which contained comprehensive categories, including essential public information, and the primary and underlying causes of death (UCOD).<br />Results: The results of this study indicate that out of the 618 cases of deceased individuals, 273 (44.2 %) were women and 345 (55.8 %) were men. Notably, a total of 61 cases (9.9 %) exhibited an error in the writing of the primary cause of death (COD). Specifically, the UCOD was erroneously recorded as cardio-pulmonary arrest in 13.2 % of all DCs, thus resulting in an error in the main COD.<br />Conclusion: The findings of this study disclosed a high incidence of errors in the completion of DCs, particularly in the determination of the UCOD, which is universally recognized as the most critical aspect of these documents.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no competing interests to declare.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1878-7487
- Volume :
- 108
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of forensic and legal medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 39442389
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2024.102779