Evaluation of errors and its etiological relevance with variables associated with death certificate.

ABSTRACT

Tendency to commit serious & trivial errors while certifying death still looms large. So some one may say, there is only one certificate in the world which is full of errors and that is death certificate! This study is done to evaluate errors in medical & non-medical part and to assess causes of errors of COD. Total 353 death certificates from teaching hospital were evaluated to detect different errors. Causes of errors of COD were scrutinized & confirmed after examining COD statements extensively. 21% death certificates were incompletely written. 99% certificates were incorrectly written. P value of correct & complete certificates with that of incorrect & incomplete certificates was found insignificant. Commonest error was use of ‘with’ instead of ‘due to’ & mention of ‘MOD’ at I a. Causes of these errors (99%) were Lack of training & diagnostic difficulty. Several errors were found in non-medical part which highlight ‘routine attitude’ of certifier. To change this scenario team work is needed. Team of doctors need to certify & supervise death certificates closely. Possibility of legal action against often erring certifying doctor may be appraised publically.