Unnatural death Flashcards
Who usually writes the medical certificate for cause of death?
The GP of the deceased
What happens if a GP cannot write a medical certificate for cause of death?
Referral to coroner for post mortem
What is the death certificate and who gives it
Formal record of the facto of death given by the registrar of births, deaths and marriages
Copy of the registrar entry to the death register
When must a death be registered with a certificate
Within 5 days, delayed for another 9 days if registrar told medical cartificate issued
When can a death reviewed by a coroner be registered
Only when the coroner ceases investigation
What document is needed for the family to organise money/property including the will?
The death certificate
What happens if a person dies at home with an unknown cause?
Coroner is informed
Hospital pathologist issues medical certificate of cause of death following coronial autopsy
What are the three types of autopsies you should know?
Coronial autopsy, Hospital autopsy (cause of death already known, family/clinical team wish to know more about the disease process and needs consent of next of kin)
Forensic autopsy: Forensic patholgist who usually deals with suspicious deaths and homocides
When is a death reported to a coroner
No dr attended deceased in last illness
Deceased not seen by Dr within 14 days of death
Death occurred during Op or before recovery from anaesthetic
Death occurred at work/industrial disease/poison
Death was sudden/unexpected/unnatural/violent/due to neglect
Suspicious
In state detention/custody
What happens when a person dies in hospital?
Medical examiner reviews the case. If they agree with practitioner re cause of death, practitioner fills out MCCD, or may be referred to coroner
How is an MCCD laid out
Part 1 deals with primary cause of death, and 2 sections describing it as a consequence of X. Condition on lowest line caused those above it
Part 2 is other significant conditions contributing to death but not causing
What terms should be avoided ind eath certificcates
Old age/senility
Natural causes alone\
Organ failure (without specifying disease/condition before)
Non-physical/mental conditions
Terminal events, modes of dying/vague terms that do not identify a specific pathological process
What is needed when describing stroke as cause of death
As much detail as possiblere nature ans lesion site (haemorrhage, thrombisis or embolism, specific artery. Include antecedent contirions AF, artifical valces, anticoagulants)
Use terms stroke/cerebral infarction if no more specific can be given
What is needed when describing neoplasia as cause of death
Indicate if benign, malignant or uncertain, histological type, anatomical location, whether primary or secondary, tick box b if histological data awaited
What is needed when describing diabetes mellitus as cause of death
State if type 1 or type 2, complication that led to death
