An Investigative Journalist Wants to Know: “What’s Really Killing America?” Lou Saadi, Ph.D. Kansas Innovations NAPHSIS Annual Meeting, 2009 Baltimore, Maryland

It all started with a SIDS investigative story  A journalist with Scripps Howard news service was investigating SIDS in the U.S.  He shared information at a journalism conference  Conversed with a colleague in Wichita, Kansas about death certificates and the information maintained in this—or lack thereof

 The Kansas citizen lamented about his dad’s departing. Felt guilty that they allowed cremation of the body before they knew a few facts.  The deceased was not attended by a physician at the time of death.  An EMT—designated as a deputy coroner— attended the death and pronounced.  Law enforcement was present to assure no foul play.  Funeral director claimed the body and family agreed to cremation.

 Family felt guilty their loved one was not seen by a physician and perhaps they cremated too quickly—maybe there was wrongdoing. If so, evidence is destroyed.  Family member shared this “guilt” with reporter at journalism conference.  The reporter smells a RAT ! Believes there is collusion between the funeral director (who is in a hurry to get his money) and the doctor—who is too busy to see the living much less see the dead!

So, what are the assumptions?  If there is collusion, signatures from the funeral director and doctor will be the same or similar. Signatories are inaccurate and causes of death are not being recorded by a physician!  Maybe there is widespread falsifying of documents. One example: Fraud identified in New York City where they delicensed some funeral directors.

How should we respond?  Alert staff to the possibility? Might not hurt to look to assure this is not happening  Promote this possibility as one justification of why EDRS is necessary. New York City example also recommended EDRS as a way to monitor funeral director and physician reporting (NAPHSIS annual meeting, 2005) For Kansas (as in other jurisdictions), we will use fingerprinting to identify each physician signing the death certificate. Will minimize fraud and suspicions. Staff vigilance in assuring records are filed accurately.