JUNE 2018
GAVERS Death Users,

On July 1 st two new fields will be added to the GAVERS death module in hopes of improving Georgia Department of Public Health’s efforts to identify and prevent drug overdose deaths. These new questions will appear on the Death Medical-2 tab below the “Manner of Death” question. The new questions are:

1.       Do you have reason to suspect that this death is due to an unintentional drug overdose?
  • Possible responses are YES, NO, UNKNOWN
2.       Briefly describe the circumstance:
  • Optional free text field where the coroner or medical examiner can describe why they might suspect a drug overdose

These new fields will only appear in GAVERS. They will not appear on any printed certificates or drop to paper forms. The data captured in these fields will be used for public health surveillance only, and will not be shown on the final death certificate or the official cause of death.

The Georgia Death Investigation Act (O.C.G.A. 45-16-20) requires that the coroner or medical examiner be notified in the case of any death that occurs in an unusual or suspicious manner. Therefore information should only be entered in these new fields by coroners or medical examiners.

If you have any questions please contact the State Vital Records Office and we’ll be happy to assist you.

You can see a screenshot with the new fields highlighted below.
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