Read on Twitter
*Begin rant*
I just had a very frustrating convo with a co-worker.
She& #39;s convinced that ALL deaths are being reported as COVID19, regardless of what it is.
NO!
That& #39;s not how it works. AT ALL.
So, let& #39;s go through how death certificates work & how the CDC guidelines work.
1
I just had a very frustrating convo with a co-worker.
She& #39;s convinced that ALL deaths are being reported as COVID19, regardless of what it is.
NO!
That& #39;s not how it works. AT ALL.
So, let& #39;s go through how death certificates work & how the CDC guidelines work.
1
First, a death certificate has multiple lines for primary cause of death (COD). Why? Because it& #39;s seldom straight forward and in the interest of accuracy, they& #39;re quite thorough.
And then there& #39;s a second section for underlying or contributing factors.
2
And then there& #39;s a second section for underlying or contributing factors.
2
In one example I read, there were 3 primary causes of death & 1 underlying factor.
Thoroughness. Scientists of all stripes, including medical examiners/pathologists, are really into it. Which is why you should never ask them to explain something in their field to you. Really.
3
Thoroughness. Scientists of all stripes, including medical examiners/pathologists, are really into it. Which is why you should never ask them to explain something in their field to you. Really.
3
How about the CDC guidelines.
They will accept COVID19 as one of the CODs IF there is a confirming test to prove that the patient had COVID19. If there is not a test, it& #39;s "probable COVID19"and the CDC expects follow-ups to confirm that COVID19 is indeed a COD.
4
They will accept COVID19 as one of the CODs IF there is a confirming test to prove that the patient had COVID19. If there is not a test, it& #39;s "probable COVID19"and the CDC expects follow-ups to confirm that COVID19 is indeed a COD.
4
So, where does that leave us? Ah, yes, the everything is COVID19 lie.
A little scenario: say Uncle Morty has cancer. He& #39;s been receiving chemotherapy which has left him immunocompromised. He goes to your cousin& #39;s wedding and a week later, he& #39;s in the hospital with pneumonia.
5
A little scenario: say Uncle Morty has cancer. He& #39;s been receiving chemotherapy which has left him immunocompromised. He goes to your cousin& #39;s wedding and a week later, he& #39;s in the hospital with pneumonia.
5
Unfortunately, Uncle Morty doesn& #39;t make it.
What is COD?
Bacterial pneumonia?
Cancer?
Well, if you ever got the chance to see it, you& #39;d read on line 1 of his death certificate: pneumonia (and possibly the strain of bacteria that caused it). And depending on the state
6
What is COD?
Bacterial pneumonia?
Cancer?
Well, if you ever got the chance to see it, you& #39;d read on line 1 of his death certificate: pneumonia (and possibly the strain of bacteria that caused it). And depending on the state
6
Where Uncle Morty died, the cancer (the SPECIFIC KIND) would be listed on line 2 of the first section or in section 2 as an underlying factor.
Still with me? Good.
So, say Uncle Morty got COVID19, not bacterial pneumonia.
Where would COVID19 be entered on the death certificate?
Well, that depends on the ME/pathologist. If they decide that pneumonia is the COD, they might list COVID19 on the 2nd line of section 1
7
So, say Uncle Morty got COVID19, not bacterial pneumonia.
Where would COVID19 be entered on the death certificate?
Well, that depends on the ME/pathologist. If they decide that pneumonia is the COD, they might list COVID19 on the 2nd line of section 1
7
Or on line 1 since the pneumonia was caused by the virus.
But Uncle Morty& #39;s cancer is STILL listed on the certificate as a contributing/underlying factor.
Scientists are obsessed with accuracy and thoroughness.
8
But Uncle Morty& #39;s cancer is STILL listed on the certificate as a contributing/underlying factor.
Scientists are obsessed with accuracy and thoroughness.
8
Which is why COVID19 would only be entered on the death certificate if they& #39;d confirmed its presence in Uncle Morty.
If they didn& #39;t have the test results back before Uncle Morty expired, it would list "Probable COVID19" as a COD.
And probables get followed up.
9
If they didn& #39;t have the test results back before Uncle Morty expired, it would list "Probable COVID19" as a COD.
And probables get followed up.
9
