How to make a death certificate in clinical setup .

1. DEATH CERTIFICATE
By Divyanshu joshi

2. What is death certificate and why is it
needed?
A documentary evidence stating the DATE , FACT & CAUSE
OF DEATH issued by the government
To state the fact that the individual is relived of the social legal
and official obligations to enable settlement of property
inheritance and authorize the family to collect insurance or
other benefits.

3. SECTION 1 : General details of the
patient

4. Part 2 : Cause of Death

5. Part 3 : Manner of death Identification marks
and signature of the medical attandant

6. Cause of Death
First part includes :
1. Immidate cause
2. Anticedent cause
3. Other significant conditions .
Second part includes:
Other significant
conditions contributing
to death
It has Two
parts

7. Immediate
cause
◦ It is the disease injury or
complication that
directly preceded death
of a person
◦ Ex..
◦ In case of voilent death
enter the cause of death
as an external factor viz
. Fracture of vault of
skull ,
Crushed chest , ETC
Anteceden
t cause
This condition must
be antecedent to the
Immediate cause of
death both with
respect to time and
etiological or
pathological
relationship.
Eg
Road traffic accident
or fall from tree.
OTHER
SIGNIFICA
NT
CONDITIO
NS
The other
conditions
contributing to
death but not
related to the
disease or
conditions
causing it should
be here

8. Manner of Death
◦ Manner of death reffers to way in which the cause of death
was produced weather natural or unnatural ie. Accidental,
suicidal or homicidal
◦ Death not due to external causes should be identified as
Natural.
◦ If the cause is not known and requires further investigation
then Pending investigation is to be selected

9. Significance of Death Certificate
1. Help in assessing the effectiveness of public health
programs
2. Feedback for future policy and implementation.
3. Essential for better health planning and management
4. Has very essential medicolegal importance

10. General Tips
1. Issue free of charge.
2. do not delay in giving the certificate.
3. Consider all clinical findings.
4. Do not write two or more conditions on a single line.
5. Avoid abbreviations.
6. Issue a single copy and retain a duplicate copy for reference.
7. Certification by a medical practitioner who has attended the deceased
during the letter’s last illness
(Births & Deaths Act 1969).

12. FEW EXAMPLES
A)
Sepsis 2 days
Part 1
B)
Duodeneal
perforation
5 days
C)
Duodeneal ulcer 6 months
PART 2 Diabetes 18 years

13. A)
Asphyxia
Part 1
B)
Drowning
C)
.............
PART 2 ..............

14. A)
Myocaŕdial
Infarction
Part 1
B)
Coronary artery
disease
C)
Hypertension 5 years
PART 2 Diabetes 18 years
Obesity