Persistent inaccuracies in completion of medical certificates of stillbirth: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The UK Medical Certificate of Stillbirth (MCS) records information relevant to the cause of stillbirth of infants ≥24 weeks' gestation. A cross-sectional audit demonstrated widespread inaccuracies in MCS completion in 2009 in North West England. A repeat study was conducted to assess whether practice had improved following introduction of a regional care pathway.

Methods

266 MCS issued in 14 North West England obstetric units during 2015 were studied retrospectively. Cause of death was assigned following review of information available at the time of MCS completion. This was compared to that documented on the MCS, and to data from 2009.

Results

Twenty-three certificates were excluded (20 inadequate data, 3 late miscarriages). 118/243 (49%) MCS contained maj

SUBMITTER: Higgins LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6221058 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature