Accuracy of Supplemental Medical Information on Birth Certificates

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Abstract
A sample of births that occurred in 6 hospitals in New York State (exclusive of New York City) was studied to determine the accuracy of reporting complications of pregnancy and parturition, operative procedures and birth injuries and malformations. Hospital records of 1100 births were compared With the information reported on the birth certificate. 39% of the complications of pregnancy and parturition, 94% of operative procedures and 34% of birth injuries and malformations recorded on the hospital charts were also reported on the birth certificates. All complications mentioned on the certificate were reported correctly. In the event of a neonatal death or a Caesarean section, the degree of reporting was markedly increased; in the case of neonatal deaths, 92% of the complications were reported while 75% of the complications associated with Caesarean sections were reported. In addition when types of complications were considered, those occurring during labor and delivery were more adequately reported than those occurring during the prenatal period. This was correlated with the fact that in 4 of the 6 hospitals certificates were completed by hospital personnel. The necessity for obtaining complete and accurate maternal morbidity data was emphasized. Methods of improving accuracy of reporting were discussed with emphasis on a revised supplemental report form to facilitate completion of the report.
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