Persistent inaccuracies in completion of medical certificates of stillbirth: A cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND: The UK Medical Certificate of Stillbirth (MCS) records information relevant to the cause of stillbirth of infants ≥24 weeks’ gestation. A cross‐sectional audit demonstrated widespread inaccuracies in MCS completion in 2009 in North West England. A repeat study was conducted to assess whether practice had improved following introduction of a regional care pathway. METHODS: 266 MCS issued in 14 North West England obstetric units during 2015 were studied retrospectively. Cause of death was assigned following review of information available at the time of MCS completion. This was compared to that documented on the MCS, and to data from 2009. RESULTS: Twenty‐three certificates were excluded (20 inadequate data, 3 late miscarriages). 118/243 (49%) MCS contained major errors. Agreement between the MCS and adjudicated cause of stillbirth was fair (Kappa 0.31; 95% CI 0.24, 0.38) and unchanged from 2009 (0.29). In 2015, excluding 34 terminations of pregnancy, the proportion of MCSs documenting “unexplained” stillbirths (113/211; 54%) was reduced compared to 2009 (158/213; 74%); causality could be assigned after case note review in 78% cases. Recognition of fetal growth restriction (FGR) as a cause of stillbirth improved (2015: 30/211; 14% vs 2009: 1/213; 0.5%), although 71% cases were missed. 47% MCSs following termination of pregnancy documented an iatrogenic primary cause of death. CONCLUSIONS: Completion of MCSs remains inaccurate, particularly in recognition of FGR as a cause of stillbirth. Detailed case note review before issuing the MCS could dramatically improve the usefulness of included information; evaluation of practitioner education programmes/internal feedback systems are recommended.