Physicians
The compassion and respect you show your patients is demonstrated in your last act of care – timely and accurate reporting of the manner and cause of his or her death. The information provided on a death certificate also serves to inform state, national and even global public health efforts and research. We recognize, however, that sometimes death reporting is a challenge, and hope that the EDRS will be a resource in addressing some common concerns.
The EDRS has been designed to be simple and easy to use. Reporting can be done anywhere you have access to the internet (office, home, etc). As an EDRS user, you will find support in the form of system edits designed to guide you in providing complete cause of death statements. These edits have been shown to reduce the number of errors and follow-up queries and improve the consistency and quality of information about deaths. Finally, the VDH will have staff available to answer any questions regarding use of the system.
If you would like information about being a pilot test site for the EDRS, or to discuss any of the changes in death reporting, please contact us at EDRS@vdh.state.vt.us or 802-652-2070.
VT Death Reporting Resources and Updates for Physicians
- Tips for Completing Preliminary Report of Death - Physicians (pdf)
- Changes in Death Reporting June 2008 - Physicians (pdf)
- New & Changed Medical Questions for July 1, 2008 (pdf)
- Physician Tutorial – Completing a VT Death Certificate
- Article in Green Mountain Physician: Physician’s Role Is Critical for Improving Data From Death Certificates (pdf)
- Link to Vermont EDRS (to be added)
- Physicians’ Handbook for EDRS (coming soon)
Related Links for Physicians
- Death Certificates: Let’s Get It Right, American Family Physician
- Electronic Death Registration: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
- EDRS Project, NAPHSIS
- Vermont Medical Society
- VNA Health Systems of Vermont
Return to top