Testing an unconventional mortality information source in the canton of Geneva Switzerland

Mortality data are often unavailable, incomplete, and difficult to access for research and other purposes. Gaps in mortality data reports, particularly those detailing place of death, deprive healthcare professionals, decision-makers, and many others of the information that is needed to plan, implement, and evaluate interventions designed for purposes such as to assist people in achieving their preferred death place or reduce hospital utilization. Alternative methods of collecting reliable and valid data on death place may be needed. Our study primarily compared mortality data from a conventional information system (Federal Statistical Office) with mortality data collected using an unconventional system (funeral homes) over a 6-year period (2005-10) for the canton of Geneva Switzerland. Only a small average difference (4.8%) in death incidence was found. Death place data comparisons were also useful. This study suggests that the unconventional data from funeral homes provides reasonably reliable, valid, timely, and useful mortality data.