Healthcare Acquired Infection & Certification of Death
It is a matter of clinical judgment by the certifying doctor to decide whether a condition present at or just before death contributed to the patient’s death.
In the case of HCAI the certifying clinician may choose to clarify the laboratory findings with a consultant microbiologist but this is not compulsory.
Additional guidance can be found in the CMO letter (PL/CMO/2007/8) and in guidance from the ONS Death Certification Advisory Group.
When a HCAI is included in either Part I or II of the death certificate the death should be reported to the coroner and as an SUI.
ONS Guidance for Doctors Completing Medical Certificates of Cause of Death