Section 216-RICR-10-10-1.21 - Medical Certification of Cause of DeathA. Completed and properly executed medical certification of cause of death shall mean the printed or typed entry of a definite medical diagnosis of cause of death by a physician or medical examiner. This may be: 1. Entry of the clinical findings of the physician who attended the deceased for the illness or condition that resulted in death; or2. Entry of tentative clinical findings that may or may not be supported by the gross findings of an autopsy; or3. Entry of autopsy findings where necessary to establish a definite medical diagnosis of cause of death.B. In any case where an autopsy is to be performed, it shall not be necessary to defer the entry of the cause of death until a full report is available or until microscopic or toxicological studies are completed.C. In any case where the autopsy findings significantly change the cause of death already entered on the death certificate, a supplemental report of the cause of death shall be forwarded to the State Registrar by the certifying physician, attending physician, or medical examiner as soon as the findings are available. The report shall be made on a form supplied by the State Registrar and shall be signed by the certifying physician, attending physician or medical examiner. Upon receipt of this form, the State Registrar shall enter the new information on the death certificate in accordance with §§ 1.37 and 1.38 of this Part.D. Whenever a local registrar receives a death certificate which has been certified by a certifying physician or medical examiner and which states that the cause of death is "pending", such certificate shall be registered upon receipt and immediately sent to the State Registrar. Immediately upon determining the cause of death, the medical examiner or certifying physician shall forward the cause of death to the State Registrar on forms furnished for that purpose.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-10-10-1.21
Amended effective 3/31/2021