Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
DNP Executive Summary
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Faculty Chair
Dr. Kimberly Helms
Preceptor
Lucy Brannon Traxler
Abstract
Background: Accuracy in death certification is crucial for effective public health initiatives. Inaccuracies in unsuitable Underlying Cause-of-Death (UCOD) statements can distort mortality statistics, influence health policy, and impact resource allocation. In South Carolina, changes in the death registration process and the introduction of an unsuitable cause-of-death list highlighted an urgent need for structured training among certifiers to enhance accuracy in death documentation.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement a standardized training program for healthcare providers certifying natural causes of death and assessing the impact of reducing the unsuitable underlying cause-of-death inaccuracies in an outpatient hospice setting.
Project Design: Utilizing a quality improvement framework, a one-day virtual training workshop was developed based on Centers for Disease Control guidelines, and data was collected over eight weeks. Key components included interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities designed to improve knowledge and skills in death certification practices among hospice certifiers.
Results: Post-implementation data was determined to be statistically and clinically significant, with a 20% unsuitable cause-of-death statement rate compared to the national average of 42%.
Conclusion: The quality improvement project demonstrates that standardized training initiatives can positively impact the accuracy of cause-of-death statements.
Recommended Citation
Rutherford, Naida, "Unsuitable Underlying Cause-of-Death Statements: Implementation and Evaluation of a Structured Process for Healthcare Providers Certifying Natural Causes of Death in an Outpatient Setting" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 134.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/134
DNP Project Poster
Rutherford DNP Slide Presentation.pdf (549 kB)
DNP Project PowerPoint
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Epidemiology Commons, International Public Health Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Nursing Administration Commons, Other Nursing Commons, Palliative Nursing Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Quality Improvement Commons