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Cremation Permit Review and COVID-19 Death Certificates
Joseph A Prahlow1, Madeline H VanderVeen, John D Storer
1From the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|January 30, 2023
Summary
Many COVID-19 death certificates (DCs) omit comorbid conditions, despite their frequent presence. Medical record reviews confirm these conditions are often significant contributing factors to mortality.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Death certificates (DCs) are crucial for mortality statistics and public health.
- A discrepancy was observed in COVID-19 DCs lacking comorbid conditions, contrary to established risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the accuracy of comorbid condition reporting on COVID-19 death certificates.
- To determine if missing comorbid conditions on DCs represent an underreporting issue.
Main Methods:
- Review of COVID-19 death certificates (DCs) during routine cremation approval.
- Medical record review for cases where comorbid conditions were absent on the DC.
Main Results:
- A significant percentage of COVID-19 DCs did not list comorbid conditions.
- Medical record review revealed that most of these cases had significant, unlisted comorbid conditions.
Conclusions:
- There is a notable underreporting of comorbid conditions on COVID-19 death certificates.
- This underreporting may impact the accuracy of mortality statistics and public health surveillance.
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