To the Editor: The article by Neate and colleagues1 and the accompanying editorial by Cordner2 serve as a timely reminder that, despite sophisticated imaging and pathology tests, cause of death is not always clear. Neate et al found that the cause of death as stated on the death certificate required a major change in nearly half the cases reviewed.1 This has criminal and public health implications, and feedback to clinicians caring for the patient is crucial.
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- 1. Neate SL, Bugeja LC, Jelinek GA, et al. Non-reporting of reportable deaths to the coroner: when in doubt, report. Med J Aust 2013; 199: 402-405. <MJA full text>
- 2. Cordner SM. Doctors, death certificates and reporting to coroners — room for improvement [editorial]. Med J Aust 2013; 199: 379-380. <MJA full text>
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