BACKGROUND The sensitivity and accuracy of death certificates and mortality data as sources of population based data on the occurrence of interstitial lung diseases has received limited attention. To determine the usefulness of these data sources, death certificates and mortality data from patients in New Mexico were examined. METHODS Patients with an interstitial lung disease were identified...

Checking revocation information is necessary to prevent from using digital certificates whose contents become invalid. In current system either periodical retrieval of Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) or the Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) are the most common mechanisms to access revocation information issued by the certification authorities. As both these approaches pose problems ...

BACKGROUND Studies aiming to identify palliative care populations have used data from death certificates and in some cases hospital records. The size and characteristics of the identified populations can show considerable variation depending on the data sources used. It is important that service planners and researchers are aware of this. AIM To illustrate the differences in the size and char...

Considerable increase in cancer deaths has been observed since 1995, after when the tenth version of the international classification of disease (ICD) was introduced in Japan according with the revision of a death certificate form at the same time. We assessed the contributing factors for this unnatural fluctuation, using a population-based cancer registry data as a model. All deaths of the pre...

Accurate assessment of cause of death (COD) is important for determining cause-specific survival in cancer research. It is possible to reliably ascertain COD by meticulous review of inpatient and outpatient medical records with the use of predetermined clinical algorithms (1). Unfortunately, this method, although useful for small retrospective studies, is impractical for large datasets and nati...

The new perinatal death certificate proposed by the World Health Organisation was examined in relation to existing measures for recording perinatal death statistics and also with regard to new information gathered. Present procedures appear to underestimate the number of perinatal deaths by roughly 10%, though late registrations may lower this figure slightly. The use of a minimum birth weight ...

In 1986 The Office ofPopulation Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) introduced new certificates for stillbirths and neonatal deaths. This allowed certifiers more flexibility in the completion of the certificate, and the number and ordering of the causes given. Tabulations have been published ofthe fetal and maternal causes of death mentioned on the certificates for every year from 1986 to 1991 in annua...

BACKGROUND There is analytical potential for multiple cause of death data collected from death certificates. This study examines relationships of multiple causes of death as a function of factors available on the death certificate (demographics of decedent, place of death, type of certifier, disposal method, whether an autopsy was performed, and year of death). METHODS Data from 326,332 Minne...

BACKGROUND Death certificates are an invaluable source of statistical and medical information, as well as important legal documents. However, few physicians receive formal training on how to accurately complete them. PURPOSE To determine if a simple intervention can improve the accuracy of death certificate completion by medical students. METHODS Participants included all third year medical...