Physicians' Handbook on Medical Certification of Death (4 ...

National Center for Health Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director Jack R. Anderson, Deputy Director Jack R. Anderson, Acting Associate Director for International Statistics Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science Lawrence H. Cox, Ph.D., Associate Director for Research and Methodology Diane M. Makuc, Dr.P.H., Acting Associate Director for Analysis, Epidemiology, and Health Promotion P. Douglas Williams, Acting Associate Director for Data Standards, Program Development, and Extramural Programs Edward L. Hunter, Associate Director for Planning, Budget, and Legislation Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for Vital and Health Statistics Systems Douglas L. Zinn, Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations Charles J. Rothwell, Associate Director for Information Technology and Services

Division of Vital Statistics James A. Weed, Ph.D., Acting Director James A. Weed, Ph.D., Acting Chief, Mortality Statistics Branch

Preface

This handbook contains instructions for physicians on cause-of-death certification. It was prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). These instructions pertain to the 2003 revision of the U.S. Standard Certificate of Death and the 1992 revision of the Model State Vital Statistics Act and Regulations. This handbook serves as a model that can be adapted by any vital statistics registration area. Other handbooks and references on preparing and registering vital records are mentioned at the end of the section on Medical Certification of Death and are listed in the references. For most of these resources, the State vital statistics office or NCHS can provide as many copies as desired. For detailed information on completing other items on the death certifi cate, refer to the Medical Examiners' and Coroners' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting or the Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting. Keywords: medical certification c death certificate c guidelines c handbook

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Acknowledgments

This publication was prepared by staff from the Division of Vital Statistics led by Donna L. Hoyert, Ph.D., and Arialdi M. Minino, M.P.H. Robert N. Anderson, Ph.D., also contributed to this effort. Mary Anne Freedman, M.A., the Director of the Division of Vital Statistics while this publication was being prepared, reviewed and commented on the contents. Expert medical review and comments were provided by Randy Hanzlick, M.D.; Gregory G. Davis, M.D.; and Lillian R. Blackmon, M.D. Additional medical input was provided by Henry Thiede, M.D.; Kenneth C. Schoendorf, M.D.; and Sonja Rasmussen, M.D. This handbook was edited by Demarius V. Miller, typeset by Jacqueline M. Davis, and the graphics produced by Jarmila G. Ogburn of the Publica tions Branch, Division of Data Services.

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