My mother, who never had a heart condition, and until then was physically healthy, was rushed to hospital with sepsis, (from a bladder infection not noticed by nursing home).. she had multiple organ failure by the time she got to hospital, from the sepsis) developed pneumonia in hospital ,and died a month later when taken off blood pressure meds ( when they took her off these meds that where keeping her blood pressure up and it plummeted). I was told at hsopital that she died of sepsis, which caused the heart failure. The death certificate now says ahe died of congestive heart failure, and although there are several lines where it says all contributing causes must be listed, none of these are. Why?

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Originally Posted by sueceecat

My mother, who never had a heart condition, and until then was physically healthy, was rushed to hospital with sepsis, (from a bladder infection not noticed by nursing home).. she had multiple organ failure by the the time she got to hospital, from the sepsis) developed pneumonia in hospital ,and died a month later when taken off blood pressure meds ( when they took her off these meds that where keeping her blood pressure up and it plummeted). I was told at hsopital that she died of sepsis, which caused the heart failure. The death certificate now says ahe died of congestive heart failure, and although there are several lines where it says all contributing causes must be listed, none of these are. Why?

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Should probably say that her "insurance doctor" signed the death certificate.

Why does this matter?

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Originally Posted by sueceecat

My mother, who never had a heart condition, and until then was physically healthy, was rushed to hospital with sepsis, (from a bladder infection not noticed by nursing home).. she had multiple organ failure by the the time she got to hospital, from the sepsis) developed pneumonia in hospital ,and died a month later when taken off blood pressure meds ( when they took her off these meds that where keeping her blood pressure up and it plummeted). I was told at hsopital that she died of sepsis, which caused the heart failure. The death certificate now says ahe died of congestive heart failure, and although there are several lines where it says all contributing causes must be listed, none of these are. Why?

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Was a postmortem examination (PME) performed, a full autopsy?

Item 32, Parts I and II should be completed to the full extent of the medical knowledge of the pronouncing physician and/or pathologist conducting the PME (certifying physician) as the case may be.

If a PME was not performed then the physician that actually pronounced death should sign the certificate.

The proper protocol in relation to cause(s) of death can be reviewed here:

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics

Thank you for these examples. I don't know who pronounced the death. My mom was in the ICU for a month after being taken there with sepsis, and she died there. The doctor who signed death certificate was her managed care ins. Doctor, but he was not taking care of her when she died. Would I follow up with doctor, coroner, hospital, or do I have to get an attorney?



It matters because she matters.

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Originally Posted by sueceecat

Thank you for these examples. I don't know who pronounced the death. My mom was in the ICU for a month after being taken there with sepsis, and she died there. The doctor who signed death certificate was her managed care ins. doctor, but he was not taking care of her when she died. Would I follow up with doctor, coroner, hospital, or do I have to get an attorney?

It matters because she matters.

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Unless it was a coroner's case, which I doubt given the circumstances, you should focus on the hospital and doctor that signed certificate.

You of course are entitled to know the "chain of events leading directly to death" and the "underlying cause of death." In addition, this information is used to compile statistics from the local through national level. It should always be thorough and complete.

The reason why I asked was to see if there is an coverage issue or some concern about malpractice. Of course Dr Bill is right that you have a right to know the chain of events and for accurate statistical analysis.

Thank you all for your answers!

Yes, she is passed, and if they took her off her meds for blood pressure and her pressure spiked, most likely it was heart failure that actually caused her death,

I guess the issue why does it really matter ? She is gone and unless you are planing a law suit for poor treatment ( but did not say that) it really does not matter.