The proposed bill aims to clarify and expand the definition of "qualified individual" authorized to determine the cause of death and complete the medical certification for death certificates in Colorado. Under current law, this responsibility is typically assigned to the physician in charge of the patient's care. The bill broadens this definition to include physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and the chief medical officer of the institution where the death occurred.
Additionally, the bill mandates that all qualified individuals register with the state's electronic death registration system prior to signing a death certificate. This system, managed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the state registrar, facilitates the timely and accurate filing of death certificates. The requirement for registration ensures that all medical certifications are completed using this electronic system, promoting efficiency and standardization in the death registration process.
By expanding the pool of healthcare professionals authorized to complete death certificates and enforcing the use of the electronic registration system, the bill seeks to streamline the process, reduce delays, and enhance the accuracy of vital records in Colorado.
Summary
In current law, a qualified individual is authorized to determine
the cause of death of an individual and complete the medical certification for a certificate of death. The bill defines the term qualified individual to include a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or the chief medical officer of the institution in which the death occurred. The bill requires that qualified individuals register to use the
electronic death registration system used by the department of public health and environment and the state registrar prior to signing a death certificate.
