Improving Accuracy of Death Certificates

To the Editor. —In a recent letter, it was suggested that review of hospital-based death certificates by a designated physician might be one way to promote correction and amendment of improperly completed death certificates.¹To that end, a small study was conducted to test the idea. Over a 10-day period, all 56 death certificates completed in a large teaching hospital were reviewed. If the cause of death section showed (1) an omission or (2) an underlying cause of death that was nonspecific or in need of further explanation (such as "hyperglycemia" or "bedridden"), a form letter was sent to the physician via intrahospital mail. The letter included a listing of omissions and questions about the cause of death and the suggestion that the physician consider amending the certificate. Instructions for amending were provided, and a contact phone number was included to allow for questions or comments. Letters were warranted