Certifying and coding COVID-19 as cause of death

Date
Description

This Webinar provides and overview of the international recommendations for certifying and coding COVID-19 as cause of death, the main aspects for correcting filling of death certificate and selected examples of certification of deaths due to COVID-19.

Target audience: medical doctors, certifiers, coders, and responsible personnel for national health statistics.

Language: English

Objective(s) of the event

To provide instructions for certification and classification of deaths related to COVID-19, based on the International Classification of Diseases (CID).

Summary of topics

Taking into consideration the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has released emergency codes and has also published international guidelines to standardize the coding and classification of confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19. PAHO has collaborated in the development of these recommendations as well as their dissemination among the countries of the Region of the Americas. Following this publication, questions have been raised from the daily work of doctors, coders and other professionals responsible for health statistics. Accurate and standardized data collection is essential for monitoring the pandemic and increase the knowledge of this new disease.

Agenda                                                                                                     

  • International orientation for certifying and coding COVID-19 as a cause of death. Dr. Vilma Gawryszewski, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/EIH)
  • Correct filling of a death certificate and the selection of underlying cause of death. Ms. Angela Hinds, The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). 
  • Examples of certification of deaths due to COVID-19.  Mr. Martin Jermaine, Ministry of Health &Wellness, Jamaica.    
  • Answers and questions 

Conclusion: It is crucial to improve the information on COVID-19 to better inform action to address the pandemic.

Speakers. Brief curriculum summary

Dr. Vilma Gawryszewski, Advisor Health Information and Analysis Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/EIH).

Ms. Angela Hinds, Senior Technical Officer, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). 

Mr. Martin Jermaine, Director, Health Records Services Planning and Evaluation Branch. Ministry of Health &Wellness, Jamaica.

Keywords
international recommendations, certifying and coding, cause of death, correct filling of death certificate, certification of deaths due to COVID-19.
Presentations and reference materials
Access to the recording