Re: Question about death certificates...

[Guest guest]

Jerry I do not know where you live but I live in the northern part of Indiana

MYhusband Ralph died 8 -23 - 01 and on his death certifcate

is wrote SHY- DRAGER SYDROME AND FOR TIME HE WROTE YEARS

Blanche

[Guest guest]

,

In my previous employment,I was state registrar of vital records and

director of public health statistics for the State of Indiana. I know from

my expereinces there that physicians are notorious for failing to code the

complete cause of death so that public health statistics will accurately

reflect morbidity and mortality. The underlying causes - such as MSA - are

the most critical to collect data for and also the most frequently

under-reported. You are correct that the death certificate as it currently

reads will influence mortality statistics for heart disease, and it will not

impact statistics on neurological or movement disorders.

Jerry Cash

Question about death certificates...

Hi All,

We just picked up my dad's death certificate. The

cause of death is listed as " cardiac dysarythmia "

(sp?). There is no mention of MSA. There is a blank

after the cause of death that says " as a consequence

of " , but it was left blank. Logically, MSA could have

been put in that blank.

My question is this. Is it worth having the death

certificate amended to reflect the MSA? I feel it

should be there. As silly as it may sound, I think

that the cause they listed makes his death sound too

easy, (if that's possible). Listing MSA at least

acknowledges his struggle.

However, my real reason for wanting it on there is if

it would make a difference somewhere down the road in

terms of funding for research or something. Does

anyone ever look at general statistics from death

certificates? In other words, if more death

certificates listed MSA as a cause of death, could it

potentially make a difference when the powers that be

are doling out funds for research? Am I even making

any sense at all? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

,

I read your post and thought about your dilemma. I think I would ask

them to amend the death certificate. The cardiac problem does make

your father's death sound " too easy " and if only for your own peace

of mind I think it should tell the whole story.

Carol & Rob

> Hi All,

>

> We just picked up my dad's death certificate. The

> cause of death is listed as " cardiac dysarythmia "

> (sp?). There is no mention of MSA. There is a blank

> after the cause of death that says " as a consequence

> of " , but it was left blank. Logically, MSA could have

> been put in that blank.

>

> My question is this. Is it worth having the death

> certificate amended to reflect the MSA? I feel it

> should be there. As silly as it may sound, I think

> that the cause they listed makes his death sound too

> easy, (if that's possible). Listing MSA at least

> acknowledges his struggle.

>

> However, my real reason for wanting it on there is if

> it would make a difference somewhere down the road in

> terms of funding for research or something. Does

> anyone ever look at general statistics from death

> certificates? In other words, if more death

> certificates listed MSA as a cause of death, could it

> potentially make a difference when the powers that be

> are doling out funds for research? Am I even making

> any sense at all? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks!

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

,

I read your post and thought about your dilemma. I think I would ask

them to amend the death certificate. The cardiac problem does make

your father's death sound " too easy " and if only for your own peace

of mind I think it should tell the whole story.

Carol & Rob

> Hi All,

>

> We just picked up my dad's death certificate. The

> cause of death is listed as " cardiac dysarythmia "

> (sp?). There is no mention of MSA. There is a blank

> after the cause of death that says " as a consequence

> of " , but it was left blank. Logically, MSA could have

> been put in that blank.

>

> My question is this. Is it worth having the death

> certificate amended to reflect the MSA? I feel it

> should be there. As silly as it may sound, I think

> that the cause they listed makes his death sound too

> easy, (if that's possible). Listing MSA at least

> acknowledges his struggle.

>

> However, my real reason for wanting it on there is if

> it would make a difference somewhere down the road in

> terms of funding for research or something. Does

> anyone ever look at general statistics from death

> certificates? In other words, if more death

> certificates listed MSA as a cause of death, could it

> potentially make a difference when the powers that be

> are doling out funds for research? Am I even making

> any sense at all? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks!

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

The same thing happened with my father-in-law. I was furious but my

hands were tied because my mother-in-law was satisfied the way it was.

I argued and lost so his death will not be show up statistically where

it should.

I personally think doctors should fill in all the blanks.

Sally in KS