Death data structure

Exploratory data structure. Initially based on examination of the exemplar forms in the Death Certification Reforms consultation.

The death

The wrapper for the other pieces.

The deceased

Information about the deceased person.

Participants

Who might be part of the establishment of a cause of death? Both in terms of a defined role and being an information source?

Split into two basic groups:

Practitioners

• The deceased’s GP
• The deceased’s hospital consultant
• The deceased’s last carer
• The qualified attending practitioner (QAP)
• The medical examiner (ME)
• Medical examiner’s officer (MEO)
• The coroner
• Coroner’s officer
• The registrar of births, deaths and marriages

“Civilian”

• Next of kin
• Partner
• Relatives
• Representatives

Cause of death

What is the cause of death? Increments of how the agreed cause was arrived at.

Scrutiny

What records have been scrutinised? By whom? What is the synopsis of this scrutiny?

Examination

Information about any physical examination that has taken place as part of the ME process.

Events

The ME workflow has at least three “events”:

• Notification of death
• Discussion of death between ME and QAP
• Discussion of death between ME or MEO and the informant

Required event checklist

Things that need to have happened before the cause of death is released:

• Practitioner and Medical Examiner discussion
• Medical Examiner information scrutiny
• External examination of deceased
• Medical Examiner signed off cause of death
• Medical Examiner / Officer and next of kin discussion
• Informant assent to cause of death

Other

• Status (i.e. for case management)
• Complaint flags
• Notes etc