Medical Examiner's Role in Cause of Death

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What is the purpose of the standardised process of mortality case note review in England?

To better understand and learn from hospital deaths.

According to the National Quality Board (NQB), what guidelines were published in 2017?

Guidelines for all NHS providers in England on how to learn lessons from deaths.

What methodology has the Royal College of Physicians developed to look at deaths?

Structure Judgment Review (SJR) methodology.

What are the two parts of the cremation form in England and Wales that need to be signed by two separate doctors?

Part 4 and Part 5. Signup and view all the answers

What rights do properly interested persons have in the inquest proceedings?

Properly interested persons have the rights to actively participate in the inquest proceedings, receive disclosure of documents, have legal support, and not to self-incriminate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Coroner's certificate of medical death?

The purpose of a Coroner's certificate of medical death is to allow settlement of the deceased's estate where a delay is likely. Signup and view all the answers

What are Coroner's Regulation 28 reports?

Coroner's Regulation 28 reports, also known as Prevention of Future Death Reports (PFD), are reports that address concerns about circumstances creating a risk of other deaths occurring. Signup and view all the answers

What are some key areas of current legal thinking connected with clinical dilemmas pertaining to death and dying?

Euthanasia and assisted suicide; Organ donation; Retention of organs and tissue; Medical examiners and medical reviewers (Scotland) Signup and view all the answers

What are some syllabus requirements for the death and dying module?

Definition of death; Death certification and cremation; The role of the coroner and the structure and function of inquests; Fatal Accident Inquiries in Scotland; Withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging treatment; Patient refusal of life-prolonging treatment; Advance directives; Euthanasia and assisted suicide; Organ donation; Retention of organs and tissue; and Medical examiners and medical reviewers (Scotland) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the definition of death not a clear concept?

The text states that the definition of death is not a clear concept, but does not provide a specific reason. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for certifying death in hospitals?

The treating consultant. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for certifying death in the community?

The GP. Signup and view all the answers

When should the Registrar refer to the Coroner?

If the attending doctor has not seen the deceased within the preceding 14 days and has not seen the body after death. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of cases that should be referred to the Coroner?

Cause of death unknown, deceased not seen after death/within 14 days before death, death was violent/unnatural/suspicious, death may be due to an accident, death may be due to self-neglect or neglect by others, death may be due to an industrial disease or related to deceased’s employment, the death may be due to an abortion, the death occurred during an operation or before recovery from the effects of anaesthesia, death may be suicide, death occurred during/shortly after detention in police/prison custody. Signup and view all the answers

What criteria are recommended by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for declaring a patient dead?

Observation of irreversible cardiorespiratory arrest and absence of mechanical cardiac function. Signup and view all the answers

What are the recommended procedures for confirming absence of mechanical cardiac function in primary care?

Absence of central pulse on palpation and absence of heart sounds on auscultation. Signup and view all the answers

What are the additional procedures recommended for confirming absence of mechanical cardiac function in a hospital setting?

Asystole on a continuous ECG display, absence of pulsatile flow using direct intra-arterial pressure monitoring, and absence of contractile activity using echocardiography. Signup and view all the answers

What criteria should be confirmed after five minutes of continued cardiorespiratory arrest?

Absence of pupillary responses to light, absence of corneal reflexes, and absence of any motor response to supra-orbital pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Medical Examiner in the death certification process?

The role of the Medical Examiner is to scrutinize each MCCD and the medical records of the deceased. Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances will an Inquest be held by the Coroner?

An Inquest will be held by the Coroner if there is reasonable suspicion that the deceased has died a violent or unnatural death, where the cause of death is unknown, or if the deceased died while in custody or state detention. Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard of proof required in a Coroner's court?

The standard of proof required in a Coroner's court is civil, meaning that a ruling is based on the 'balance of probabilities' rather than 'beyond all reasonable doubt'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Coroner in determining the cause of death?

The role of the Coroner is to determine who the deceased was, when, where, how, and in what circumstances the deceased came by his or her death, and the particulars (if any) required by the Births Deaths and Registrations Act 19 to be registered concerning the death. Signup and view all the answers

What documents are required to register a death?

Medical certificate for cause of death (MCCD), Proof of dead person’s identity, Proof of identity of registering person, Details of the dead person, date and place of birth, full name at time of death, last address, occupation, the details of the dead person’s spouse or civil partner, the dead persons benefits entitlements Signup and view all the answers

What are some customs related to death in different religions?

In Muslim deaths, cremation is prohibited, Post mortems are banned but remain a civil obligation under UK law where indicated. Buddhists usually prefer cremation to burial. Hinduism directs that cremation is expected following a death, usually within 24 hours. Jewish faith expects burial within 24 hours, some sects ban cremation and consider organ donation as beneficial. Post-mortem examinations are prohibited by the Jewish faith but are carried out if legally binding, during the post mortem, a Rabbi should be present, furthermore, embalming is a prohibited action within the Jewish religion. Signup and view all the answers

What factors contributed to the reform of the UK system of death certification?

Dame Janet Smith: The Shipman Report, Robert Francis QC: Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Enquiry, The Report of the Gosport Independent Panel Signup and view all the answers

What changes are envisioned for the overhaul of the medical certification process?

The changes include the introduction of Medical Examiners in Secondary care in England, independent scrutiny of medical records, and discussion with the bereaved to provide high-quality information about the quality of care. Signup and view all the answers

Medical Examiner's Role in Cause of Death

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the standardised process of mortality case note review in England?

According to the National Quality Board (NQB), what guidelines were published in 2017?

What methodology has the Royal College of Physicians developed to look at deaths?

What are the two parts of the cremation form in England and Wales that need to be signed by two separate doctors?

What rights do properly interested persons have in the inquest proceedings?

What is the purpose of a Coroner's certificate of medical death?

What are Coroner's Regulation 28 reports?

What are some key areas of current legal thinking connected with clinical dilemmas pertaining to death and dying?

What are some syllabus requirements for the death and dying module?

Why is the definition of death not a clear concept?

Who is responsible for certifying death in hospitals?

Who is responsible for certifying death in the community?

When should the Registrar refer to the Coroner?

What are some examples of cases that should be referred to the Coroner?

What criteria are recommended by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for declaring a patient dead?

What are the recommended procedures for confirming absence of mechanical cardiac function in primary care?

What are the additional procedures recommended for confirming absence of mechanical cardiac function in a hospital setting?

What criteria should be confirmed after five minutes of continued cardiorespiratory arrest?

What is the role of the Medical Examiner in the death certification process?

Under what circumstances will an Inquest be held by the Coroner?

What is the standard of proof required in a Coroner's court?

What is the role of the Coroner in determining the cause of death?

What documents are required to register a death?

What are some customs related to death in different religions?

What factors contributed to the reform of the UK system of death certification?

What changes are envisioned for the overhaul of the medical certification process?

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