5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Death Edit Specifications for the 2003 Revision of the U.S. Standard 

Certificate of Death 

Note: This document replaces Instruction Manual Part 4, 

“Demographic Classification and Coding Instructions for 

Death Records” 

(Also the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems' [NAPHSIS]

Electronic Death Registration project has guidelines and associated standards at http://www.naphsis.org}

 for use in developing and implementing an electronic death registration system. The NAPHSIS site 

 has information on further work done on use cases and business functionality. The NAPHSIS documents

 deal with broad issues while this specifications document deals with individual fields.) 

 
 Table of Contents 

 Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Table of Contents 

 GENERAL GUIDELINES 

 OVERVIEW 

SUMMARY LETTER ON GUIDELINES FOR 

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (as revised) 

Item 1 DECEDENT’S LEGAL NAME

Item 2 SEX 

Item 3 SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER 

Item 4 DECEDENT’S AGE 

Item 5 DATE OF BIRTH 

Item 6 BIRTHPLACE 

Item 7 DECEDENT’S RESIDENCE 

Item 8 EVER IN US ARMED FORCES?* 

Item 9 MARITAL STATUS 

Item 10 SURVIVING SPOUSE’S NAME* 

Item 11 FATHER’S LASTNAME 

Item 12 MOTHER’S NAME PRIOR TO FIRST MARRIAGE* 

Item 13 a INFORMANT’S NAME* 

Item 13c INFORMANT’S MAILING ADDRESS* 

Item 14 PLACE OF DEATH 

Item 15, 16, 17 FACILITY NAME 

 CITY, TOWN, AND ZIP CODE 

 COUNTY 

Item 18 METHOD OF DISPOSITION 

Item 19 PLACE OF DISPOSITION* 

Item 21 NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS OF FUNERAL FACILITY* 

Item 23 LICENSE NUMBER OF FUNERAL SERVICE LICENSEE* 

Items 24 & 25 DATE PRONOUNCED DEAD 

 TIME PRONOUNCED DEAD 

Item 27 LICENSE NUMBER OF PERSON PRONOUNCING DEATH* 

Item 28 DATE SIGNED (SIGNATURE OF PERSON PRONOUNCING DEATH)* 

Items 29 & 30 DATE OF DEATH 

TIME OF DEATH 

Item 31 WAS MEDICAL EXAMINER OR CORONER CONTACTED?* 

Item 32 CAUSE OF DEATH 

Items 33 & 34 WAS AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED? 

WERE AUTOPSY FINDINGS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE 

 CAUSE OF DEATH? 

Item 35 DID TOBACCO USE CONTRIBUTE TO DEATH? 

Item 36 IF FEMALE 

Items 37 & 45 MANNER OF DEATH 

 CERTIFIER 

Items 38 & 39 DATE OF INJURY 

 TIME OF INJURY 

Item 40 PLACE OF INJURY 

Item 41 INJURY AT WORK? 

Item 42 LOCATION OF INJURY 
Table of Contents 

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5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item 43 DESCRIBE HOW INJURY OCCURRED 

Item 44 IF TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENT, SPECIFY 

Item 45 See Item 37 

Item 46 NAME, ADDRESS, AND ZIP CODE OF PERSON COMPLETING CAUSE 

OF DEATH* 

Item 48 LICENSE NUMBER (CERTIFIER)* 

Item 49 DATE CERTIFIED* 

Item 50 DATE FILED (REGISTRAR)* 

Item 51 DECEDENT’S EDUCATION 

Item 52 DECEDENT OF HISPANIC ORIGIN? 

Item 53 DECEDENT’S RACE 

Items 54 & 55 DECEDENT’S USUAL OCCUPATION 

 KIND OF BUSINESS/INDUSTRY 

* Item is not part of the NCHS data set. 

Additional items FILE PROCESSING ITEMS 

Appendices APPENDICES
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 1 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

SPECIFICATIONS FOR COLLECTING AND EDITING 

THE UNITED STATES STANDARD CERTIFICATES OF BIRTH AND DEATH 

AND THE REPORT OF FETAL DEATH -- 2003 REVISION 

INTRODUCTION 

Since the inception of a national vital statistics system, the states and the federal government have worked together 

cooperatively to promote standards and consistency among state vital statistics systems. The U. S. Standard 

Certificates of Birth and Death, and Report of Fetal Death are the principal means of promoting uniformity in the data 

collected by the states. These documents are reviewed and revised approximately every 10 years through a process 

that includes broad input from data providers and users. In 1997, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 

appointed a panel of vital statistics data providers and users to evaluate the (1989) certificates. That panel completed 

its work in April 1999, and submitted recommended revisions to NCHS. 

NEED FOR SPECIFICATIONS 

As one of its findings, the panel recommended that NCHS develop and promulgate standards for vital statistics data 

collection and processing. One of the reasons for this was that the Working Group to Improve Data Quality found a 

decline in vital statistics birth data quality associated in part with electronic registration of vital events (1). 

Over the past 15 years, automation has had a significant effect on the nations’ vital statistics system. Currently, over 

95 percent of births are registered electronically and the move toward electronic death registration is accelerating. 

Unfortunately, these electronic systems were developed in a piecemeal fashion in an environment of constantly 

changing technology options. As a result, data quality issues not seen prior to the Electronic Birth Registration (EBR) 

systems began to surface. Many of these quality issues along with issues that appeared to be a problem for both paper 

and electronic systems are documented in the “Report of the Working Group to Improve the Quality of Birth 

Data.”(1) 

With the development of electronic systems for new standard certificates there is an opportunity to prevent some of 

the problems identified by the “Working Group” and improve data quality. One way to improve data quality as well 

as to ensure uniformity in the national databases is to include, as part of the implementation package, detailed 

specifications for electronic as well as paper systems. All vital statistics registration areas as well as software vendors 

will have the same set of specifications for data submission to NCHS. As a result, differences in data due to software 

created by different vendors should be minimized. 

Our goal is to offer comprehensive instructions/recommendations covering all aspects of the electronic system. The 

data specifications for electronic birth, death, and fetal death registration systems include: 

• Mechanisms for incorporating recommended worksheets into the system 

• Item specific edit criteria 

• Computational algorithms 

• Item code specifications 

• Response categories, including drop down menus and “pick lists” (excluding cause of death) 

• Requirements for context specific help 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

• Electronic transmission standards 

The overall goal of these specifications is to have the electronic systems identify, and wherever possible, rectify data 

problems as close to data entry as possible. To that end, we recommend that the systems edit and query at the time 

the data is entered and that a second level of editing be performed for some items, once the record is filed with the 

state office. Editing performed close to the time that data are collected should greatly minimize queries from state 

offices to data providers. In addition, the editing and resolving of problems before data are transmitted to NCHS 

should reduce queries from NCHS to the states and maximize resolution of data problems before data are transmitted 

to NCHS when it is often too late for them to be fixed. 

At present, most Electronic Birth Registration (EBR) systems are designed for freestanding software in birthing 

facilities. The software captures the data, carries out limited editing, and transmits data to the state for further 

processing. State processing is then done either with software developed by the same vendor who developed the 

facility software, or by software developed by state staff. Although the current specifications are designed to be used 

with the different types of electronic systems (stand alone facility/provider software, state central processor, or 

central/ “web based,” systems) a system housed and operated centrally at the state office may facilitate system 

maintenance, version control, security, and uniform processing of data. 

We also strongly recommend that each state operated EBR/EDR input system replicate the data input system used by 

facilities/providers in the field. This helps to ensure that records not filed electronically will be keyed, edited, and 

processed as similarly as possible to electronically filed records. 

States may also wish to integrate the EBR and the Fetal Death Reporting system to minimize facility workload and 

promote more complete reporting. The new electronic systems may also be integrated with other public health data 

systems, such as newborn screening, immunization registries, medical examiner reporting systems, or other 

appropriate disease-specific reporting systems. However, the states should review how data are collected in these 

systems and the potential impact of this data on vital statistics information before allowing integration of systems. 

These specifications follow as closely as possible the data standards (HISSB standards) promulgated by the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The specifications include recommendations on the steps that should occur during data collection and processing, but 

do not specifically (with a few exceptions) mandate how the steps are to be operationalized. 

The specifications are meant to be software neutral. Any language that might be construed as mandating a particular 

software approach is not intentional. 

NCHS will review state software for the handling of data elements to ensure that data are collected and recorded as 

intended. The software will also be tested to ensure that the edits and computational algorithms work as intended, and 

that instructions and help menus, pick lists, and drop down menus are uniform. 

The EBR/EFDR specifications were developed assuming the NCHS Standard Worksheets (see attachments) as the 

source documents used to populate the EBR/EFDR. The standard worksheets are developed in a format that is the 

most efficient for hospital staff to complete. To further encourage the use of the worksheets the electronic systems 

must be designed to follow the flow of these worksheets. The paper worksheets are also readily adaptable to 

electronic formats (i.e., electronic worksheets). 

Most items on the Report of Fetal Death are similar or identical to those on the Birth Certificate. It is important that 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

the EFDR also closely resemble the EBR so that comparable data may be collected from the two systems. 

GENERAL PRINCIPLES 

1. Electronic birth data are to be collected in a manner and format as similar to the recommended worksheets as 

possible. Death data should closely follow the death certificate.

2. The specifications for electronic systems include instructions that are to appear on the screen to complete each 

item and instructions to be included for help menus. 

3. The specifications for electronic systems include, in many cases, the specific edit screens to be followed at 

data input and at later stages in the processing. 

4. Once a record has been saved once and then reopened, the EDR/EBR/EFDR should include a window for the 

record that lists items still pending (incomplete). The keyer should be able to go to any item in the pending 

list and enter data when information becomes available. 

5. Default values are not permissible except for those clearly identified in the specifications. 

6. Individual check boxes or item responses may not be dropped, but State laws and regulations and individual 

State needs may dictate that additional categories be included. Any additions should be added to the end of the 

standard list. For exceptions to this recommendation please contact the Director of the Division of Vital 

Statistics, NCHS. 

7. State laws and regulations and individual State needs may also dictate that additional items be added to the 

certificate. Because additions may affect responses to the standard items, please contact the Director of DVS, 

NCHS before finalizing additional items. 

8. The certificates/worksheets generally do not include the response option “unknown.” Electronic systems, 

however, allow a final response of “unknown” for a number of items. 

9. Electronic non-check box numeric items such as dates, and “unknown” will require the entry of a character or 

series of characters as shown in the specifications. The use of “hot keys” for unknown values is 

recommended. 

10. The software must be able to integrate with several external pieces of software, e.g., the state GIS system, 

occupation and industry coding software, and Supermicar. 

11. Although quality control tabulations are not included in the specifications (e.g., the percent of unknown 

responses by provider), we strongly recommend that these types of tabulations be included as an essential 

component of the new EBR/EDR/EFDR systems. 

12. Software and table updates should be implemented uniformly across the state. 

FEATURES INTEGRAL TO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: 

• Automatic edits at time of data entry - automatic messages which appear immediately 

after data is entered for a given item. The message alerts the user of data problems (i.e., 

data out of range or inconsistent with other information) and allows the user to 

immediately modify the data. Cross-item edits, for example, maternal age by maternal 

education, should fire immediately after data for both items are entered. The user should 

not have discretion as to whether the edits are run. There are two types of edits - soft 

edits which identify and query entries but accept the entry upon the users approval, and 

hard edits which identify and query entries which must be corrected before the record can 

be filed. 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

• Ability to edit related items together - the user should be able to readily modify data entered for 

all related items when an edit has identified a problem. For example, if birthweight is found to be 

within the allowable range, but is inconsistent with the (derived) length of gestation, the user 

should be able to readily correct both items since either could be inaccurate. 

 

• Capture of soft-edit query - the system should track when a soft edit has been performed. This 

will allow States to tract frequent edit failures and take corrective action. For selected variables, 

when a soft edit fails a second time, a by-pass variable will be set to alert States and NCHS that the 

out of range value has been verified as correct. 

• On screen messages - the individual item specifications include a number of 

reminders/instructions. A well-designed system should be able to incorporate these messages 

without unduly burdening the user. Not all messages should require action on the part of the user. 

For example, some messages can just be flashed on the screen quickly enough to read. 

• On-line help - definitions and more detailed instructions included in the specifications for both the 

EBR/EDR/EFDR and “The Guide to Completing the Facility Worksheet” for the EBR should be 

available on-line to the user. 

• Item order or flow - systems must flow in the same order as the worksheets which were designed 

to encourage information to be gathered from the best sources. (Not applicable to death.) 

• Final review/query screen - systems should be designed to allow the user to temporarily skip 

certain items to allow the user additional time to gather information, especially from the medical 

records. The final query screen reminds the user to complete all missing information and gives them 

the opportunity to do so before the record can be filed or released to the State data file. It also 

queries rare responses, such as a response of “no prenatal care.” Once a record is released to the 

State data file and is accepted by the State, providers should no longer have the ability to modify the 

record. 

• List of pending items - systems should allow the user to easily access a list of incomplete items 

and go to the incomplete items once a record has been worked on and saved once. Prior to sending 

or finalizing a record, it should be mandatory that the user be presented with a list of all incomplete 

items. 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

• For items where it is only correct to choose one response (e.g. Prepregnancy or 

Gestational Diabetes, or The Principal Source of Payment for Delivery) systems 

should be designed so as to accept only one response. Two possible ways to 

accomplish this are via edit messages or blocking out other response categories 

after one has been selected. 

 

• Version control - systems should include methods to track changes in software 

versions and notify NCHS of version change. Version changes considered 

necessary to track are ones which include changes to items, edits or more 

substantive changes to tables and format. Each record transmitted to NCHS 

should have a version number. This notice should greatly improve our ability to 

identify and fix data problems. 

• Cause of death 

- Consistent look for cause of death- On medical examiner, coroner, and 

physician entry screens, it is imperative that the physician viewing the 

screen be able to see, at minimum, the same prompts and formatting as 

those physicians using the paper version of the death certificate. (Not 

applicable to birth). 

- Additional lines for cause- Additional lines may be added as needed in 

the cause-of-death statement. (Not applicable to birth). 

- Prohibition of pick lists- Physicians completing cause of death MUST 

enter medical conditions using their own terminology (e.g., pick lists or 

other mechanisms limiting the choice for cause are not allowed). 

• Electronic death registration system guidelines- The National Association for 

Public Health Statistics and Information Systems' (NAPHSIS) Electronic Death 

Registration project has created guidelines and associated standards (see 

guidelines and standards at http://www.naphsis.org) for use in developing and 

implementing an electronic death registration system. The NAPHSIS document 

deals with broad issues while the NCHS specifications document deals with 

individual fields. 

 

TRANSMISSION FILE PRINCIPLES 

1. State file numbers should be sequential starting with the number one each year. 

2. Each shipment of data shall be accompanied by a transmittal that includes the file 

name, state name, date of shipment, certificate number range, and number of 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 6 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

records in the shipment (new, updated and total). Each record shall include a 

variable which indicates that it is a valid record or a void. 

3. Data will be sent to NCHS as soon as possible after receipt and initial processing 

by the state. The state shall not wait for the results of queries before transmitting a 

record. 

4. All record updates and changes to variables in the NCHS data set due to query, 

registrar initiation or interested party initiation should be forwarded to NCHS as 

soon as the updated record is accepted by the state. 

 

(1) Report of the Working Group to Improve the Quality of Birth Data. U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services, PHS, CDC, NCHS. 1998. 

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 

Soft Edit: An edit that identifies and queries entries which are outside of the 

expected range, but which accepts out of range entries. 

Hard Edit: An edit that identifies and queries entries which are outside of the 

expected range which must be corrected before the record can be filed. 

EBR Electronic Birth Registration System. 

EDR Electronic Death Registration System. 

EFDR Electronic Fetal Death Registration System 

EBR/EDR Edits (both hard and soft) run before the record is transmitted to the state. 

Edit Wherever feasible, edits are to be run at data entry. 

State Edit Edits performed by the state after the record has been transmitted to the 

State. 

Help Menu Instructions to be included as part of the standard help function. 

Instructions 

On Screen Instructions to complete or revise an item which should always appear on 

Instructions the EBR/EDR/EFDR screen. 

Hot key A specific key such as a “?” which can be used to represent unknown 

values for any item. 

Final Review A screen designed to improve data collection by allowing the keyer 

Screen additional time to gather information, and to remind the keyer to complete 

missing information before the record can be filed. Also queries rare 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 7 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

responses. (See discussion below.) 

Bypass A variable that indicates the results of a query for an entry failing an edit. 

Variable The results of the query are in the transmitted data. (See discussion 

below.) 

Missing A variable that provides additional information to an “unknown” 

Value response, e.g., “sought but unknown,” “unobtainable,” and “refused.” 

Variable (See discussion below.) 

 

Processing Variables states will use to collect and process vital statistics data. 

Variables 

Transmission Variables to be transmitted to NCHS as part of the VSCP contract. 

Variables 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 8 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

FINAL REVIEW SCREEN: (EBR/EFDR examples) 

(Also see section on Final Review Screen) 

The final review screen is designed to encourage better reporting of items for which 

necessary information is not immediately available (primarily prenatal care items). The 

keyer is given the option to temporarily skip an item, that is, indicate that data to 

complete the item are not available at the time the record is initiated. The item is then 

placed in pending status and, if not called up and completed beforehand, will appear on 

the final review screen to be completed before the record can be transmitted to the state. 

At the final review screen, the keyer may enter the item information or enter a response 

of “unknown.” 

Once a record has been closed and reopened, the keyer will also have the option to return 

and complete pending items. A list of items still pending will appear on the screen at all 

times after the record is re-opened allowing the keyer to complete the item as information 

becomes available. For example, assume that the keyer has all information on a given 

birth except the mother’s prenatal care data. When the keyer comes to item 6(a) “Date of 

first prenatal care visit,” one of the first items on the facility worksheet, the keyer may 

then indicate that the PNC record is “not yet available,” the item will be skipped and the 

keyer can continue to complete other items on the record. Once the record is re-opened, 

the item “Date of the first prenatal visit” will appear on the pending list to be completed 

at the keyers discretion. If not completed beforehand, the item will appear on the final 

review screen. 

The “pending list” should be available to the keyer at all times after the first re-opening 

of the record, but the final review screen will appear only once, prior to the record being 

sent to the state. The final review screen is also used to query rare item responses such as 

a response of “no prenatal care.” 

BYPASS VARIABLE: 

Bypass variables are used where edits are performed. This variable indicates the 

keyer has been queried about an unexpected response, and has had the opportunity to 

change the response. The use of bypass variables should help reduce queries from the 

state to data providers, and from NCHS to the states. 

MISSING VALUE VARIABLE: 

 The “Missing Value Variable” (MVR) captures responses such as “refused,” “sought 

but unknown,” and “unobtainable," which are intended to expand upon an “unknown” 

response. While not necessary for most variables in the Vital Statistics System, MVRs 

can be useful for items when data are collected directly from an informant. These 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 9 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

responses can then be reviewed by the state to identify data collection issues. The death 

specifications include several items for which several MVR responses are recommended. 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

THE FINAL REVIEW SCREEN 

Systems should be designed to allow the keyer to temporarily skip items for which 

information/records are not immediately available. This is particularly, but not 

exclusively, applicable to information collected from prenatal care records. 

The “Final Review Screen” is to appear prior to the final transmission of the record for 

those items still “pending.” Such items include any that were marked “pending” as 

above, or those left blank but required to be completed for the record to be filed with the 

state. It also includes items that have failed a hard edit, and selected items with relatively 

rare responses (e.g., “no prenatal care”). 

The following are instructions for the final review screen using “Date of first prenatal 

care visit” and “Date of last prenatal care visit” (items 29(a)&(b)) as examples: 

When items “Date of first prenatal care visit” and “Date of last prenatal care visit” are 

marked “pending” the following screen should appear: 

 

The following item has been marked “pending.” This item must be completed 

before the record is filed. 

Complete ALL PARTS of the dates that are available. 

Leave blank any parts of the dates that are not known. 

Month of the first visit __ __ 

 Day of the first visit __ __ 

 Year of the first visit __ __ __ __ 

Month of the last visit __ __ 

 Day of the last visit __ __ 

 Year of the last visit __ __ __ __ 

 Check this button if all dates are unknown 

 Check this button is there was no prenatal care 

A response of “No prenatal care” on the initial entry screen, also is to be verified at the final review 

screen. (Verification is not necessary for data entered at the State level.) 

 

Please verify whether or not the mother received prenatal care. 

 Yes, the mother received prenatal care 

 No, the mother did not receive prenatal care

If “no prenatal care” is verified, there is no further query for item 29, and item 30 is skipped. 

If the verification response indicates that prenatal care was provided, the following will appear: 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 11 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Complete ALL PARTS of the dates that are available. 

Leave blank any parts of the dates that are not known. 

Month of the first visit __ __ 

 Day of the first visit __ __ 

 Year of the first visit __ __ __ __ 

Month of the last visit __ __ 

 Day of the last visit __ __ 

 Year of the last visit __ __ __ __ 

 Check this button if all dates are unknown 

 Check this button is there was no prenatal care 

 Entry operator must tab through all entry fields. 

If a date is entered, the edits for date are run as indicated in the item 

specification. 

If a date is entered or the “unknown” button is checked, item 30 should be 

completed. 

If no parts of a date are entered after tabbing through the last field, all date fields are 

assigned the “unknown” codes. 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 12 

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 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

 

National Center for Health Statistics 

6525 Belcrest Road, Room 1140 

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 

September 10, 2001 

 (Revised October 29, 2001) 

Dear Colleague: 

Recent meetings with the States and software vendors have demonstrated the need for us to 

clarify NCHS’s position on the data-capturing components of the electronic birth and death 

systems being designed for the upcoming revision. This letter briefly summarizes the NCHS 

guidelines for these systems; more detailed information can be found in the overview of “The 

Specifications for Collecting and Editing The United States Standard Certificates of Birth and 

Death -2003 Revision” and in the specifications for the individual items. The overview and the 

death specifications will be available at our web site soon. We expect to post the finalized birth 

specifications within the next month. 

In order to improve the quality of both State and national vital statistics and to promote 

standardization and comparability among the States, we believe it is essential that all areas 

incorporate certain features into their electronic systems. Data from systems which do not 

include these elements may not be considered comparable to that from systems which do, and 

ultimately may not be included in the national file or in national tabulations. We strongly 

encourage all States which are considering data collection or editing methods which deviate 

from the specifications to consult with us prior to implementation. 

 

We hope to work closely with the software vendors to enhance understanding on both sides of 

data needs and system capabilities and are open to suggestions for ways to improve on these 

elements. We invite all vendors to meet with us within the next few months for more in-depth 

demonstrations and discussion. 

Features integral to the electronic systems: 

• Automatic edits at time of data entry - automatic messages which appear immediately 

after data is entered for a given item. The message alerts the user of data problems (i.e., 

data out of range or inconsistent with other information) and allows the user to 

immediately modify the data. The user should not have discretion as to whether the 

edits are run. There are two types of edits - soft edits which identify and query entries 

but accept the entry upon the users approval, and hard edits which identify and query 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 13 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

entries which must be corrected before the record can be filed. 

• Ability to edit related items together - the user should be able to readily modify data entered for 

all related items when an edit has identified a problem. For example, if birthweight is found to be 

within the allowable range, but is inconsistent with the (derived) length of gestation, the user 

should be able to readily correct both items since either could be inaccurate. 

 

• Capture of soft-edit query - the system should track when a soft edit has been performed. This 

will allow States to tract frequent edit failures and take corrective action. For selected variables, 

when a soft edit fails a second time, a by-pass variable will be set to alert States and NCHS that the 

out of range value has been verified as correct. 

• On screen messages - the individual item specifications include a number of 

reminders/instructions. A well-designed system should be able to incorporate these messages 

without unduly burdening the user. Not all messages should require action on the part of the user. 

For example, some messages can just be flashed on the screen quickly enough to read. 

• On-line help - definitions and more detailed instructions included in the specifications for both the 

EBC and the EDC, and “The Guide to Completing the Facility Worksheet” for the EBC should be 

available on-line to the user. NCHS expects to make an electronic version of the guide available 

soon. 

• Item order or flow - systems should flow in the same order as the worksheets which were 

designed to encourage information to be gathered from the best sources. (Not applicable to death.) 

• Final review/query screen - systems should be designed to allow the user to temporarily skip 

certain items to allow the user additional time to gather information, especially from the medical 

records. The final query screen reminds the user to complete all missing information and gives them 

the opportunity to do so before the record can be filed or released to the State data file. It also 

queries rare responses, such as a response of “no prenatal care.” Once a record is released to the 

State data file and is accepted by the State, providers should no longer have the ability to modify the 

record. (Not applicable to death.) 

• List of pending items - systems should allow the user to easily access a list of incomplete items 

and go to the incomplete items once a record has been worked on and saved once. Prior to sending 

or finalizing a record, it should be mandatory that the user be presented with a list of all incomplete 

items. 
 Table of Contents 

 Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Page 3 - Colleague 

• For items where it is only correct to choose one response (e.g. Prepregnancy or 

Gestational Diabetes, or The Principal Source of Payment for Delivery) systems should 

be designed so as to accept only one response. Two possible ways to accomplish this are 

via edit messages or blocking out other response categories after one has been selected. 

 

• Version control - systems should include methods to track changes in software versions 

and notify NCHS of version change. Version changes considered necessary to track are 

ones which include changes to items, edits or more substantive changes to tables and 

format. Each record transmitted to NCHS should have a version number. This notice 

should greatly improve our ability to identify and fix data problems. 

• Cause of death 

- Consistent look for cause of death- On medical examiner, coroner, and 

physician entry screens, it is imperative that the physician viewing the screen be 

able to see, at minimum, the same prompts and formatting as those physicians 

using the paper version of the death certificate. (Not applicable to birth). 

- Additional lines for cause- Additional lines may be added as needed in the 

cause-of-death statement. (Not applicable to birth). 

- Prohibition of pick lists- Physicians completing cause of death must enter 

medical conditions using their own terminology (e.g., pick lists or other 

mechanisms limiting the choice for cause are not allowed). (Not applicable to 

birth). 

• Electronic death registration system guidelines- The National Association for Public 

Health Statistics and Information Systems' (NAPHSIS) Electronic Death Registration 

project has created guidelines and associated standards (see guidelines and standards at 

http://www.naphsis.org) for use in developing and implementing an electronic death 

registration system. The NAPHSIS document deals with broad issues while the NCHS 

specifications document deals with individual fields. 

 

This list is intended to address the major issues we have encountered thus far. As we all gain 

more experience with the new systems new issues may arise that will also need to be addressed. 

We look forward to an ongoing dialogue with all parties to work towards the development of the 

best systems possible. 

For questions or comments on the birth specifications please contact: 

Joyce Martin (301) 458-4362 JAMartin@CDC.GOV 

Stephanie Ventura (301) 458-4547 SVentura@CDC.GOV 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 15 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

For information on the death specifications: 

Donna Hoyert (301) 458-4279 

DHoyert@CDC.GOV 

Ken Kochanek (301) 458-4319 

KKochanek@CDC.GOV 

Sincerely yours, 

Mary Anne Freedman 

Director, 

Division of Vital Statistics 
GENERAL GUIDELINES, PAGE 16 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005
Item 1 

Page 1 of 8 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DECEDENT’S LEGAL NAME 

(INCLUDE AKA’s, IF ANY)

Item Number: 1 

Description: The current legal name of the decedent. Includes first name, 

middle name, last name, suffixes, and all AKA’s. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

 Other Acceptable Sources: Legal documents or other records 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Funeral Director

 

This is the most important item on the certificate for legal and personal use by the family. 

NCHS only gets names for National Death Index (NDI) use. There are alternate spellings to 

many names and it is critical for the family to have the name spelled correctly. 

 

The hospital, nursing home, physician or coroner may have entered the name of the deceased in 

the left hand margin of the certificate. Do not copy this name for entry on the certificate; it may 

be incomplete or incorrect. 

It is suggested that you have the informant check the spelling and order of names before entering 

the name on the certificate. 

The name must consist of English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 

If a name such a “Baby Boy Watts” is obtained from medical records for the death of a newborn, 

check with the parents or other informant to see if the child had a given name. If the child had 

not been named, enter only the last name. 

If the Medical Examiner or Coroner cannot determine the name of a found body, enter 

“Unknown” in the name field. Do not enter names such as “John Doe” or “Jane Doe.” 

AKA (also known as) is another name the decedent used or was known as. It should be listed if 

it is substantially different from the decedent’s legal name (e.g., Samuel Langhorne Clemens 
Item 1 

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5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

AKA Mark Twain, but not Jonathon Doe AKA John Doe). The State may enter the full alias 

rather than just the part of the name that differs from the legal name. 

AKA does not include: 

nicknames, unless used for legal purposes or at the family’s request 

spelling variations of the first name 

presence or absence of middle initial 

presence or absence of punctuation marks or spaces 

variations in spelling of common elements of the last name, such as “Mc” and 

 “Mac” or “St.” and “Saint.” 

ASK THE INFORMANT 

What was _________’s current complete legal name starting with the first name? 

Record the name provided by the informant on a separate sheet of paper and verify the 

name, spelling, and order of the names with the informant. 

 Once the name is verified, print or type the name on the certificate. 

ASK-- Did _________ use any other names, or go by any other names? 

If informant indicates “No,” go on to the next item. 

If informant indicates “Yes,” 

ASK-- Could you tell me the names? 

Print the alias name(s) on the certificate in the name field as best as possible with 

“AKA” preceding the name(s). 

Repeat until there are no more names to record.

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

Funeral Director 

It is suggested that you have the informant check the spelling and order of names before entering 

the name into the computer. 

The name must consist of English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 

The Certifying physician, Pronouncing physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner may have 

already entered a name on the EDR. If so, please check the name against what you receive from 

the informant. If the names are different, resolve the discrepancy, and enter the correct name. 
Item 1 

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ASK THE INFORMANT: 

What was _________’s current legal name starting with the first name? 

Record the name provided by the informant and go over the name with the informant to 

be sure what should go in the first name field, the middle name field and the last name 

field. 

ASK THE INFORMANT: 

Did _________ use any other names, or go by any other names? 

If informant indicates “Yes,” ASK 

Could you tell me the names? 

 Record the alias name with AKA preceding the name.

ASK THE INFORMANT 

Are there other names? 

Repeat until there are no other names provided. 

EDR Developer 

While the paper death certificate does not have separate boxes for the names of the decedent, the 

EDR should have separate fields for first, middle, last name, last name suffix, and an alias 

indicator. 

The Certifying physician, Pronouncing physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner may have 

already entered a name on the EDR. Ownership of the content of this item rests with the funeral 

director, so the funeral director may need to enter the correct name. 

When the name screen appears, display the following at the top of the screen until all the name 

fields are completed. 

When completing the first name entry box or the middle name entry box, the following message 

should pop up. 

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Help on multiple first or middle names 

 Initials 

 Religious names and titles 

 No first or middle names (infants) 
Item 1 

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 Aliases 

If the first help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Multiple first or middle names 

If the informant indicates two first names separated by a space, such as “Mary 

Louise Carter,” verify that “Louise” is part of the first name and is not a middle 

name. 

Enter the two first names with a blank space between them. 

If several middle names are given, enter all with a space between the names. 

If the second help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Initials 

If the informant indicates that the person uses a first initial such as “E. Charles 

Jones,” try to obtain the whole first name. 

If the name can be obtained enter the whole first name. If not, enter just the initial 

followed by a period. 

If the informant indicates two initials and a last name such as “H.S. Green,” 

determine if these are a first and middle initial, or two first initials with no middle 

name or initial. Try to obtain the whole name(s). 

If the names can be obtained, enter the whole names in the appropriate spaces. If 

there are no whole names then enter the initials in the appropriate spaces. Each 

initial should be followed by a period.

If the third help box is checked, the following instruction appears:

 Religious names and titles 

If there is a title preceding the name, such as “Doctor,” do not enter the title in any 

of the name fields. 

For religious names such as “Sister Mary Lawrence,” enter “Sister Mary” in the 

first name field.

If the fourth help box is checked, the following instruction appears:

No first or middle names (infants) 

 
Item 1 

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If a name such as “Baby Boy Watts” is obtained from medical records for the death 

of a newborn, check with the parents or other informant to see if the child had a 

given name. 

If the child had not been given a name, leave the first and middle name fields blank 

and enter only the last name.

If the fifth help box is checked, the following instructions appear: 

Aliases 

AKA (also known as) is another name the decedent used or was known as. It should 

be listed if it is substantially different from the decedent’s legal name (e.g., Samuel 

Langhorne Clemens AKA Mark Twain, but not Jonathon Doe AKA John Doe). 

AKA does not include: 

nicknames, unless used for legal purposes or at the family’s request 

spelling variations of the first name 

presence or absence of middle initial 

presence or absence of punctuation marks or spaces 

variations in spelling of common elements of the last name, such as 

 “Mc” and “Mac” or “St.” and “Saint.” 

Complete the current legal name before entering any aliases. 

If the informant indicates that the decedent has one or more aliases, check the alias box. 

The Alias name entry field should appear. Enter the names as indicated. 

The full alias may be entered rather than just the part of the name that differs from 

the legal name. 

If the decedent only has a first name alias, enter only the first name and leave the 

remaining fields blank. 

If the decedent only had a last name alias, enter only the last name and leave the 

remaining fields blank. 

If the decedent has more than one alias, check the additional alias box after the first 

alias name is entered. 

When the alias box is checked for the first time, the alias flag is set to “9” for the master record. 

A duplicate record may be created at this time for the first alias with the alias flag set to values 

1-8 (see below) OR the names can be recorded in a name table and duplicate records for each 

name are created later for transmission to NCHS. 
Item 1 

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The alias indicator field is defaulted to 0 and is set to 9 for a master record with one or more 

aliases, 1 for the first alias record, 2 for the second alias record, and so on. 

When only a first name alias is given, the last name will be that of the master record. The name 

table or duplicate record should contain complete names. 

When the last name entry box is being completed, the following message should pop up:

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Multiple last names 

 Unknown last name 

 Special characters in last names 

 Last name suffixes 

 Aliases

If the first help box is checked, the following instruction appears:

 Multiple last names 

If more than one last name is given separated by a hyphen, enter exactly as 

given with the hyphen. If there is more than one last name and no hyphen, 

enter the two names with a space between them. 

If the second help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

 Unknown last name 

If the last name is unknown, enter “unknown” in the last name field and 

leave the other fields blank. 

If the third help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

 Special characters in last names 

If the last name has a space or apostrophe following prefixes, such as Mac 

Pherson or O’Toole, enter as given with the space or apostrophe. 

If the fourth help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Last name suffixes 

Suffixes and generation identifiers are to be entered in the suffix field. 

If the fifth help box is checked, the alias instructions (above) should appear. 
Item 1 

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PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

GNAME First name Alpha characters 

MNAME Middle name Alpha characters 

LNAME Last name Alpha characters 

SUFF Last name suffix Alpha characters

ALIAS Alias 0 Original record with no alias 

 9 Original record with alias 

 1 First alias record 

 2-8 Second – Eighth alias record

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

BOTH ELECTRONIC AND PAPER RECORDS 

There must be an entry in the last name. All the fields cannot be blank. 

The name must consist of English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 

The alias flag must have a valid character. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that states keep name information in as detailed a format as possible. See the 

recommended electronic format below. States may want to design their paper certificate or the 

instructions to facilitate the separation of first names, middle names, and last names. For data 

collected on paper records, keying instructions need to be the same as those for the electronic 

record. 

States may want to consider using a name table array for aliases rather than creating multiple 

complete records for aliases at the time of data entry.

 NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

If there is a middle name or initials, take the first letter in the middle name field as the middle 

initial. 
Item 1 

Page 8 of 8 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Eliminate any punctuation characters after initials. 

Insert “Baby Boy” or “Baby Girl” as the first name for infants with a blank field for first name. 

Alias flag values of 1-8 should be converted to 1 (alias). Alias flags of 0 and 9 should be 

converted to 0.

 

VARIABLES: 

 

NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES 

 

 GNAME 50 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

 MNAME 1 Alpha character string Alpha character 

LNAME 50 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

SUFF 10 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

ALIAS 1 Numeric character string 0,1 

Transmitted to NCHS for NDI application only. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 2 

Page 1 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: SEX

Item Number: 2 

Description: The sex of the deceased. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Funeral Director 

Other Acceptable Sources: Medical Records 

 Medical Examiner or Coroner

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Funeral Director

 

Response is based on observation or consultation with the certifying physician. 

Enter one of the following responses: 

Male 

Female

Unknown 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

When the item is to be completed, the following menu should be used to select one response: 

 Sex 

 Male 

 Female 

 Unknown
Item 2 

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PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

SEX The sex of the deceased M Male 

F Female 

U Unknown 

 

SEX_BYPASS Edit flag 0 Off (edit passed) 

1 On (edit failed, data queried, 

and verified) 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

Item must be completed. 

PAPER RECORD 

Records filed with this field blank are queried. If there is no response to the query, assign the 

“Unknown” code. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Code for sex is compared with a list of sex-specific causes of death. See Appendix A (Source: 

latest version of NCHS Instruction manual part 11, see 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/im.htm) 

If the edit fails (the sex and cause are incompatible), reject the record and query the funeral 

director. If the funeral director’s response to sex is the same as that on the record, query the 

physician. If the physician’s response does not change either the cause of death or the sex, set 

SEX_BYPASS to “ON-1.” 

 

 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

If the state does not process its own cause-of-death data, the sex/cause edit cannot be done at the 

state level. These states will be at a disadvantage in correcting this type of potential error if they 

have to wait until NCHS picks up these questionable cases in the files. If cause-of-death data 

becomes available at a later date than the demographic information, updated files may be 

transmitted to NCHS that incorporate the sex/cause edit. 
Item 2 

Page 3 of 3 

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NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

SEX 1 Alpha character string M, F, U 

 

SEX_BYPASS 1 Numeric character string 0,1 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Item 3 

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5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Item Number: 3 

Description: The social security number (SSN) of the deceased. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Decedent’s SSN card

Other Acceptable Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Funeral Director

 

ASK THE INFORMANT: 

What was ______’s social security number? Do you have a document with you from 

which I may copy the number? 

Enter the nine-digit SSN of the decedent. Read the number back to the informant or check 

against the document from which it is being copied before moving to the next item. 

If the informant does not know the decedent’s SSN at the time of the interview, leave the item 

blank until the informant can supply the number. 

Do not enter alphabetic prefixes. If the decedent has no social security number, for example, a 

recent immigrant or a person from a foreign country visiting the United States, print or type 

“None.” 

If the deceased’s social security number is not known, print or type “Unknown.” 

If the decedent’s SSN is not obtainable, print or type “Not Obtainable.”

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 
Item 3 

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The screen should show space for entering the 9-digit SSN, an instruction to not enter alphabetic 

prefixes, as well as the following menu of choices: 

 None (decedent has no SSN) 

 Pending (informant does not know at this time) 

 Unknown (informant does not know the SSN) 

 Not Obtainable (no informant, unknown body)

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

SSN Social Security Number 000000000-999999999 

 

SSN_MVR Companion missing 

value variable N None 

 P Pending 

 U Unknown 

 X Not obtainable 

 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

The record must contain a valid nine-digit SSN or a response of “N,” “U,” or “X” from the 

menu. The Social Security Administration, at present, does not issue SSN’s with the following 

values: 

000****** 

000000000 

111111111 

123456789 

222222222 

333333333 

444444444 

555555555 

666666666 

666****** 

777777777 

888888888 

900****** 

999999999 
Item 3 

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***00  

** ***0000 

where * refers to numeric values. 

States may wish to edit SSN’s for these values and query the informant if one of these values is 

given. The record cannot be filed or printed if “pending” is selected from the menu. If any 

menu choice other than “pending” is made, the database field for the SSN is left blank. 

The SSN verification should be conducted with the unknown SSN’s set to blank. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Paper records filed with this field blank or with an illegal entry are queried at the time of filing. 

If no response to query or query yields an invalid number, choose the “Unknown” response from 

the menu and leave the SSN database field blank. The record must have a nine digit SSN, or a 

response of unknown, none, or not obtainable for the SSN item. 

Since NCHS does not receive the SSN_MVR field, reset the value to 000000000 before 

transmitting data to NCHS to indicate that there was a valid entry for no, unknown, or not 

obtainable SSN. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

In addition to the field for the SSN, States can choose to maintain the companion variable 

recommended for quality control purposes to record the menu selections. Otherwise, the 

companion variable is just used in the editing process before the record is accepted by the State 

 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

 

NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES 

SSN 9 Numeric character string 000000000- 

 999999999 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 4 

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Item Title: DECEDENT’S AGE

Item Number: 4a, 4b, 4c 

Description: Decedent’s age at the time of death. 

4a. Age in years at the decedent’s last birthday. 

4b. Age in months and/or days of a decedent greater than one 

day old but less than one year old. 

4c. Age in hours and/or minutes of a decedent less than one 

day old. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

Other Acceptable Sources: Medical Records (infant’s) 

 Medical Examiner or Coroner 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Funeral Director 

ASK THE INFORMANT: How old was ________ when he/she passed away? 

Include the units supplied by the informant such as years, months, days, etc.

Enter the data as given to you by the informant in the appropriate box in the units they 

provide (except weeks): years, months, days, hours, minutes. 

 

If the age is in years, enter into item 4a. 

If the age is in months, enter into item 4b. 

If the age is in weeks, ask if informant knows the age in days? 

If the age is in hours, enter into item 4c. 

If the age is in minutes, enter into item 4c. 

 

Multiple entries may be permitted by the State but are not required. 

Drop all fractions, such as “75 and a half years;” record as “75.” 
Item 4 

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For responses such as “almost 4 months,” enter “3” in the Months box. 

For responses such as “about 90 years,” enter “90” in the Years box. 

If the informant gives an unspecified answer such as several hours or a few minutes, 

ASK—can you give me a number? If a range is given, use the lower number. If the 

informant cannot give a number, be sure to identify the units if possible by printing or 

typing a “?” in the appropriate unit box. 

If the informant does not know and cannot obtain the age, record “Unknown” in box 4a. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

For the electronic record, date of birth and date of death (temporary) will be asked first so edits 

can be done on this item when the record is completed. 

The EDR entry screen should be set up to record the numeric value of the age and then the 

appropriate units chosen from a menu list. There needs to be a box to check if a numeric value 

cannot be entered. When this box is checked, the unit menu should appear. 

When the age of decedent is to be completed, the following instructions should appear: 

Drop all fractions, such as “75 and a half years;” record as 75. 

For responses such as “almost 4 months,” enter “3” in the Months box. 

For responses such as “about 90 years,” enter “90” in the Years box. 

If the informant gives an unspecified answer such as several hours or a few minutes, 

ASK—“Can you give me a number?” If a range is given, use the lower number. 

 UNITS OF AGE 

 (Please select one category) 

 Years 

 Months 

 Weeks 

 Days 

 Hours 

 Minutes 

 Unknown 
Item 4 

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PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

AGETYPE Age unit 1 Years 

 2 Months 

3 Weeks 

 4 Days 

 5 Hours 

 6 Minutes 

 9 Unknown (Not classifiable) 

AGE Age 001-135, 999 If AGETYPE=1 

 001-011, 999 If AGETYPE=2 

 001-004, 999 If AGETYPE=3 

 001-027, 999 If AGETYPE=4 

 001-023, 999 If AGETYPE=5 

 001-059, 999 If AGETYPE=6 

 999 If AGETYPE=9 

AGE_BYPASS Edit flag 0 Off (edit passed) 

1 On (edit failed, data queried, 

and verified; AGETYPE 

must equal “1” for the bypass 

to be set to “On.”) 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State

The edits below can be performed at the time of data entry if the EDR already contains the date 

of death, or if the State allows the funeral director to enter the date of death or a “temporary” 

date of death. The edits will have to be repeated at the State once the record is accepted. 

Whenever an edit fails at data entry, a query screen will appear asking that the discrepancy be 

resolved. 

1. Date of Death must be later (greater) than or equal to Date of Birth. If not, record needs to 

be queried (record not accepted). 

2. If Date of Death minus Date of Birth indicates that the entered age is off by more than one 

year, query (record not accepted). 

3. If AGETYPE is 4 (days) and AGE > 27 days after query to verify entry, then divide by 28, 

truncate and change AGETYPE to 2. 

4. If AGETYPE is 2 (months) and AGE>11 after query to verify entry, then divide by 12, 

truncate and change AGETYPE to 1. 
Item 4 

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5. If AGETYPE is 3 (weeks), always convert to days. Multiply by 7 and change AGETYPE to 4 

(days). If converted number is > 27, then see instruction number 12. 

6. If AGETYPE is 5 (hours) and AGE>23 after query to verify entry, then divide by 24, truncate 

and change AGETYPE to 4. 

7. If AGETYPE is 6 (minutes) and AGE>59 after query to verify entry, then divide by 60, 

truncate and change AGETYPE to 5. 

8. If AGETYPE is unknown and Date of Death minus Date of Birth is greater than 1 year, then 

set AGETYPE to 1, otherwise set to 9 (unknown.) 

9. If Date of Birth and Date of Death are the same, age units must be hours or minutes. If age 

unit is days, AGE must equal 1. If not days, hours or minutes, query. For an EDR, dates and 

AGETYPE would appear immediately on a query screen. Date of Death may have been 

accidentally recorded in the Date of Birth item. 

10. If Date of Birth and Date of Death are one day apart then infant must be one day of age or 

less: AGE=1 and AGETYPE= 4, or AGE =01-23 and AGETYPE=5, or AGE=01-59 and 

AGETYPE=6. 

11. If Date of Birth and Date of Death are between 2 and 27 days apart, then AGETYPE must be 

4 and AGE=02-27. 

12. If Date of Birth and Date of Death are between 28 and 364 days apart, then AGETYPE must 

be 2 and AGE=01-11. 

13. If AGE is 12 or less, check Date of Death minus Date of Birth to be sure the correct 

AGETYPE is recorded. For an EDR, dates and AGETYPE would appear immediately on a 

query screen for verification. 

14. IF AGETYPE is 1 (years) and AGE is >125 and the Date of Birth field is recorded as 

“unknown,” then, for an electronic record, the query should occur at the funeral director’s 

level where a screen should appear that asks the funeral director to verify. If verified, the 

edit bypass field is set to “ON”. Records received electronically with age verified as greater 

than 125 are accepted. 

15. If AGE is greater than 125 years and calculated age matches recorded age, the edit bypass 

variable is set to “ON.” If calculated age does not match recorded age, query screen should 

appear and a resolution obtained from the funeral director prior to submission of the EDR. 

For the paper record, State would have to query. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS: 

States may elect to use separate fields for each box on the certificate. The informant’s exact 

response, including, for example, “3 months and 5 days” can be printed electronically for issuing 

copies. 

The following fields are suggested: 

Item 4a. 

AGE1 (years) 

Item 4b. 

AGE2 (months) 
Item 4 

Page 5 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

AGE3 (weeks) 

AGE4 (days) 

Item 4c. 

AGE5 (hours) 

AGE6 (minutes) 

States may consider having AGE fields of approximately 15 characters to record string responses 

such as “a few hours” or “several minutes.” These responses would then be retained for 

certification use if States choose to print certificates from the file. (These types of responses 

should be discouraged.) These fields will be converted as described below for submission to 

NCHS. 

Several -- 999 

A couple of-- 999 

A few -- 999 

Unknown -- 999 

If States elect not to use multiple fields, then they would have one field for the numeric value 

AGE, one field for the units AGETYPE, and one field for the age edit bypass AGE_BYPASS. 

If States elect to have separate AGE and AGETYPE fields for each box 4a, 4b, 4c, then only the 

highest (lowest number) AGETYPE should be transmitted and the others ignored. For example: 

If item 4b. is 3 months 12 days, ignore the days and transmit only the AGE =3 and the 

AGETYPE=2. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

AGETYPE 1 Numeric character string 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9 

AGE 3 Integer numeric string 001-135, 999 

AGE_BYPASS 1 Numeric character string 0, 1 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 5 

Page 1 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: DATE OF BIRTH

Item Number: 5 

Description: The decedent’s date of birth 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director 

 

Print or type the month, day, and four-digit year of birth. Please spell out the month of birth. 

Numeric abbreviations are acceptable for the day and year of birth. 

If the Date of Birth is unknown, then print “Unknown.” If part of Date of Birth is unknown, then 

enter the known parts and leave the remaining parts blank. 

For example, for a person who is born in 1913 but the month and day are not known, print or 

type 1913. Or if the month and year are known and the day not known, print or type February, 

“blank,” 1913. 

 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Decedent’s Date of Birth is to be asked before the funeral director enters the age of the decedent. 

The Date of Birth item is a three-field entry with the month, day, and year entered in separate 

fields. 

Funeral director should be able to leave any individual entry field of the date blank and tab to 

the next entry field. 

When the Decedent’s Date of Birth item is to be completed, the following message should appear 

at the top of the screen and remain on the screen until the last field of the date is completed: 
Item 5 

Page 2 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If only part of the decedent’s date of birth is known, enter the known parts and 

leave the unknown parts blank. 

If the date of birth of the decedent is not known at this time, leave blank. 

When the month of birth is to be entered, the following message should appear: 

 

Enter the FULL name of the month the decedent was born. 

Any fields left blank will be filled with 9’s. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITIONS 

DOB_YR Year of Birth 4 digit year 4 digit year ≤Year of 

 Death 

 9999 Unknown 

DOB_MO Month of Birth January 

 February 

 March 

 April 

 May 

 June 

 July 

 August 

 September 

 October 

 November 

 December 

All 9’s Unknown 

DOB_DY Day of Birth 01-31 (based on DOB-MO) January 1-31 

 February 1-29 

 March 1-31 

 April 1-30 

 May 1-31 

 June 1-30 

 July 1-31 

 August 1-31 

 September 1-30 

 October 1-31 

 November 1-30 

 December 1-31 
Item 5 

Page 3 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 99 Unknown 

 

AGE_CALC Calculated age 000-135 

 999 Unknown 

 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

EDR 

Misspellings are to be automatically corrected. 

All blank fields will be converted to all 9’s. 

If month is February and day = 29, year of birth should be a leap year. If not, an error message 

should appear and ask that the date be corrected. 

Date is compared to temporary date of death already entered or entered by funeral director for 

the EDR. For the electronic record, the comparison with the date of death is done at the time of 

data entry. Date of birth must be the same as or prior to date of death. If not, an error message 

appears with the two dates and indicates that one of the dates must be in error. 

Age is calculated using date of birth (completed dates only) and temporary date of death for the 

EDR. Calculated age will be compared to entered age.

If the field is blank at the time the record is submitted, a query screen for the item is needed. An 

option to check a box indicating the date is unknown or space to enter a date at this time is 

needed. 

If the “Unknown” box is checked, the record is accepted for filing. 

Paper Records 

For paper records, the same edits are applied. Edits failed after re-entry through the edit screens 

will result in a listing of items to be queried and the item will be given a pending query status. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

While the paper document does not have separate fields for each element of the date, it is 

recommended that the date be entered and stored as three separate fields. States may choose to 

allow entry of numeric or alphabetic abbreviations for month instead of typing the entire literal. 

If states elect to use a database system that has an option of storing dates as “date type 

variables,” then the system must meet the criteria listed under transmission standards. 
Item 5 

Page 4 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

TRANSLATIONS 

If month is entered as a text entry, States will need to translate written months into numeric 

values as follows: 

January 01 

 February 02 

 March 03 

 April 04 

 May 05 

 June 06 

 July 07 

 August 08 

 September 09 

 October 10 

 November 11 

 December 12 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

DOB_YR 4 Numeric character string 

or “date type” 4 digit year <=Year of Death, 9999 

DOB_MO 2 Numeric character string 

or “date type” 01-12, 99 

 

DOB_DY 2 Numeric character string 

or “date type” 01-31 (based on month), 99 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION 

HL 7 Transmission standards will be followed. This is a time date stamped standard in the 

following format: 

 YYYY[MM[DD]] 

Year must be fully represented with four digits. 

Software that stores dates as “date type” must be year 2000 compliant and capable of producing 

the date in the YYYY..... format and capable of producing messages in the HL7 EDI format.
Item 6 

Page 1 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: BIRTHPLACE (CITY AND STATE OR FOREIGN 

COUNTRY) 

Item Number: 6

Description: Geographic location of the decedent’s place of birth. 

Source of Information: 

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR PAPER AND ELECTRONIC RECORDS: 

Funeral Director

ASK THE INFORMANT: Was ______ born in the United States? 

If “Yes,” 

ASK: What State or U.S. territory was ________ born in? 

Record the name of the State. If not known, record “Unknown.” 

ASK: What is the name of the city where ________ was born? 

Record the name of the city. If not known, then record “Unknown” for city. 

 If “No,” 

ASK: What country was ______ born in? 

 

 Record the name of the country. 

If respondent indicates both a city and country like Paris, France, record both the 

name of the country and city. If the informant does not know the country or city 

but knows it is not the U.S., record “Unknown.” If the response is Canada, 

ASK: What province was _____ born in? 

Record the province in this space as well as the name of the country. 
Item 6 

Page 2 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Skip to the next item. 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director

 

Print or type the responses in the appropriate spaces on the certificate. Print or type only the 

information available. If the decedent was born in the U.S., print or type only the city and State. 

Do not print or type “United States.” If the State is known but not the city, just print the State 

name. If both the city and State are not known, print or type “Unknown.” If the decedent was not 

born in the U.S. and the country is not known, print or type “Unknown.” If the decedent was 

born in Canada, record the name of the province as well as the country. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

There should be individual entry spaces for city of birth, State of birth, and country of birth. 

The series of items to be captured with instructions is suggested below. 

• If born in the U.S., enter U.S. If not born in the U.S., enter the name of the country of 

birth. 

• If the informant does not know the country, but knows the decedent was not born in the 

U.S., enter “Unknown.” 

 Country of Decedent’s Birth ___________________ 

 Province of Birth (Canada only) __________________ 

If the decedent was not born in the U.S., skip this next field. 

• If the State is not known, enter “Unknown.”

State of Decedent’s Birth_______________________ 

 

• If the name of the city where the decedent was born is not known, enter “Unknown.”

City of Decedent’s Birth_______________________ 
Item 6 

Page 3 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

LBPLACE_CNT Country of birth Literal 

LBPLACE_CTY City of birth Literal 

LBPLACE_ST State of birth Literal 

BPLACE_CNT Country of birth See Appendix B 

BPLACE_PRO Province of birth (Canada) Literal 

BPLACE_CTY City of birth See Appendix C 

BPLACE_ST State of birth See Appendix D 

The city variables are for State use only. 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

• If country is known and is not U.S., then State field must be blank. 

• If country is “Unknown,” city may be known. 

• If country is U.S., city and State may be “Unknown.” 

• If city is known and State is unknown and cannot be determined, State field should be 

“Unknown.”

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

States may also opt to retain coded fields as well as the literal entries. If coded fields are 

maintained as well, there are CDC-HISSB standards that should be used. Literals for countries 

should be assigned two character FIPS 10-4 codes (Appendix B). 

States may choose boxes and “incremental browsing” to collect this information. For instance: 

Birthplace 

 Born in the US 

 Not born in the US 

 Unknown 

If born in the US is checked, then separate items are presented to collect state and city of birth. 

If not born in the US is checked, then separate items are presented to collect country and 

province if country is Canada. “Incremental browsing” may be used to facilitate quicker 

selection of the birthplace. Incremental bowsing refers to the process in which the keyer enters 

the first or so letter of the state, territory or country and the system automatically presents the list 

of places beginning with that letter(s). The keyer then can more readily select the correct locale 

without typing in the rest of the word. For example, for birthplace, when the keyer enters the 
Item 6 

Page 4 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

letter “C: the system would automatically go to where “Cambodia” is on the list. If the keyer 

enters the letters “Ch,” the system would automatically go to where “Chad” is on the list. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

Note: NCHS will now accept all country codes. 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

BPLACE_CNT 2 Alphabetic Appendix B 

BPLACE_ST 2 Alphabetic Appendix D 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 7 

Page 1 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: DECEDENT’S RESIDENCE 

STATE 

 COUNTY 

 CITY OR TOWN 

 STREET AND NUMBER 

 APT. NO. 

 ZIP CODE 

 INSIDE CITY LIMITS? 

Item Numbers: 7a., 7b., 7c., 7d., 7e., 7f., 7g. 

Description: The geographic location of the decedent’s residence. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Funeral Director

This is the residence address (i.e., place where the decedent actually resided), not the postal 

address. Do not enter addresses that are post office boxes or rural route numbers. Get the 

building number and “street” name. 

The place of residence is not necessarily the same as “home state” or “legal residence.” Never 

enter a temporary residence such as one used during a visit, business trip, or vacation. Place of 

residence during a tour of military duty or during attendance at college is considered permanent 

and should be entered as the place of residence. If the decedent had been living in a facility 

where an individual usually resides for a long period of time, such as a group home, mental 

institution, nursing home, penitentiary, or hospital for the chronically ill, report the location of 

that facility in item 7. 

If the decedent was an infant who never resided at home, the place of residence is that of the 

parent(s) or legal guardian. Never use an acute care hospital’s location as the place of residence 

for any infant. 
Item 7 

Page 2 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the decedent was a homeless person, enter as much of the residence as is known. For example, 

only the city, state and country may be known. 

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix in front of the street name. If the 

“street name” has a direction after the name, enter the direction after the name. 

Examples: South Main Street. Enter the name as South Main. 

Walker Street NW. Enter the name as Walker NW. 

Item 7d. Street and Number 

Item 7e. Apt. No.

 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What is the “street” address of _______’s residence? 

Print the number of building, then the name of any pre-direction, then the “street name,” 

then the street designator along with any post-directions. 

Examples of the street designator are words like Street, Avenue, Road, Circle, 

Court etc. 

Print the apartment or room number. 

Item 7c. City or Town 

Item 7g. Inside City Limits

 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What is the name of the city, town or other place of residence where 

_____ resided? 

Print the name of the city, town, or other place of residence ____________. 

ASK THE INFORMANT: Is _______’s place of residence inside the city or town limits? (check 

the appropriate box). If it is not known if the residence is inside the city or town limits, print 

“Unknown” in the space.

 

 Inside City Limits 

 Yes 

 No

Item 7f. Zip Code 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What is the zip code of ________’s residence? 

 Print the Zip code____________. 

The 9 digit Zip code is preferred over the 5 digit Zip code. 
Item 7 

Page 3 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 

If the decedent was not a resident of the U.S. or its territories, leave this item blank.

Item 7a. Residence-State 

This item is where the U.S. States and territories and the provinces of Canada are 

recorded. 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What is the State, territory or province where _______ resided? 

 Print the U.S. State or territory. 

 If a Canadian province or territory, print the name of the province or territory 

followed by “ / Canada.”

Item 7b. County 

ASK: What is the name of the county where _________ resided? 

If the decedent resided in any country other than the United States and its territories, 

leave this item blank. 

 Print the name of the County ___________. 

Item (not on certificate) Country of Residence 

If the decedent was obviously a resident of the US or its territories, do not ask the country 

of residence. Usually the informant will indicate a foreign country or US territory of 

residence early in the interview. 

If the decedent was not a resident of the US and the decedent’s country of residence has 

not been mentioned then, 

 

ASK: What is the name of the country where ______ resided? 

 

Print the name of the country or US territory item 7a.(State). If the informant does not 

know the name of the country, leave the item blank. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

The collection of the decedent’s residence data should be set up to maximize the efficient use of 

GIS coding technology in order to improve the geographic allocation of these events. Two 

options for recording the street address are provided. In the second option, the street address 

will have to be parsed to separate out the pre- and post-directionals. Space in the State data files 
Item 7 

Page 4 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

for the extended zip codes, latitude and longitude coordinates and centroids will have to be 

allowed. 

PREFERRED METHOD 

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix in the space labeled “predirectional.” If the “street” name has a direction after the name, enter the suffix in the space 

labeled “post-directional.” 

Examples: South Main Street. Enter the name as Main and the pre- 

 direction as South. 

Walker Street NW. Enter the name as Walker and NW in the postdirectional space. 

If there are no pre- or post-directions, leave these spaces blank. 

OPTIONAL ACCEPTABLE METHOD 

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix in front of the street name. If the 

“street” name has a direction after the name, enter the direction after the name. 

Examples: South Main Street. Enter the name as South Main. 

Walker Street NW. Enter the name as Walker NW. 

While all the residence fields are being completed, the following general instructions should be 

on the screen.

• Residence of the decedent is the place the decedent actually resided. 

• Never enter a temporary residence such as one used during a visit, business trip, 

or vacation. 

• Place of residence during a tour of military duty or attendance at college should 

be entered as the place of residence. 

• For decedents who lived in a group home, nursing home, mental institution, 

penitentiary, or hospital for the chronically ill, report the location of the facility 

as the place of residence. 

• If the decedent was an infant who never resided at home, the place of residence 

is that of the parents.

• If the decedent was homeless person, enter as much of the address as is known. 

For example, only the city, state, and country may be known.

Data entry should be set up in the order identified below. When each item is to be completed, 

specific instructions will appear. These are listed below. 

1. Building number _______ 

2. Pre-directional _______________________ 

 3. Name of the “street” __________________ 
Item 7 

Page 5 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 4. Street designator e.g., street avenue, etc. ______________ 

 5. Post-directional ______________ 

 6. Apartment or room number ______________ 

 7. Name of the city, town, or other place of residence _____________ 

 8. Is decedent’s place of residence inside the city or town limits?

 Yes 

 No 

 Unknown 

 

9. Zip code of the above address (either 5 or 9 digits) __________________ 

10. County of the decedent’s residence ________________ 

 11. U.S. State, U.S. Territory, or Canadian Province of the residence _____ 

 12. Decedent’s country of residence _________________ 

When item 1 “Building number” is to be completed, the following instructions should appear: 

 Enter the building number assigned to the decedent’s residence. 

 Do not record a R.R. number or P.O. box. 

 If the number is unknown, enter “Unknown.”

When item 2 “Pre-directional” is to be completed, the following instructions should appear. 

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix in the space labeled 

“pre-directional.” 

Example: South Main Street. Enter the pre- 

 direction as South. 

If there is no pre-direction, leave this space blank.

When item 3 “Street name” is to be completed, the following instructions should appear. 

 Enter the “street” name of the decedent’s residence. 

 Do not enter a R.R. number.

When item 4 “Street designator” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear. 

Enter the street designator. 

Examples of the street designators are words like Street, Avenue, Road, Circle, 

Court etc.

When item 5 “Post directional” is to be completed, the following instructions should appear. 

If the “street” name has a direction after the name, enter the suffix in the space 

labeled “post-directional.” 
Item 7 

Page 6 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Example: Walker Street NW. Enter NW in the post-directional space. 

 If there is no post-direction, leave this space blank. 

When item 6 “Apartment number” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear. 

If there is no apartment or room number associated with this residence, leave the 

item blank. 

When item 7 “Name of city or town” is to be completed, no instructions are needed. 

When item 8 “Inside city limits” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear.

If uncertain if the residence is inside the city or town limits, check the “Unknown” 

box. 

When item 9 “Zip code” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear.

 

 If only the 5 digit Zip code is known, report that. 

If the decedent was not a resident of the U.S. or its territories, leave this item blank. 

If the decedent’s country of residence is unknown, enter “Unknown.” 

When item 10 “County of residence” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear.

If the decedent resided in any country other than the United States or its 

Territories, leave this item blank. 

When item 11 “U.S. State, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory” is to be 

completed, the following instructions should appear. 

 Enter the U.S. State or U.S. territory. 

If the decedent resided in a Canadian province or Canadian territory, enter the 

name of the province or territory. 

If the decedent resided in any country other than the U.S., its Territories, or 

Canada, leave this item blank.

When item 12 “Country of residence” is to be completed, the following instructions should 

appear: Country of residence need not appear if a state, territory, or province is entered. A 

table of states, territories, and provinces should be examined and the correct country autofilled. 
Item 7 

Page 7 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If a valid U.S. State or U.S. territory was entered in the previous item, “United 

States” will automatically be entered. 

If a valid Canadian province or Canadian territory was entered in the previous 

item, “Canada” will automatically be entered. 

If the decedent is not a resident of the U.S., its territories, or Canada, enter the 

name of the decedent’s country of residence. 

If the decedent’s country of residence is unknown, enter “unknown.” 

OR (Alternate Format) 

1 Building _______ 

 2. Name of the “street” __________________ 

 3. Street designator e.g., street, avenue, etc.______________ 

 4. Apartment or room number ___________ 

5. Name of the city, town, or other place of residence _____________ 

6. Is decedent’s place of residence inside the city or town limits? 

 Yes 

 No 

 Unknown 

 

7. Zip code of the above address (either 5 or 9 digits) __________________ 

8. County of the decedent’s residence ________________ 

 9. U.S. State, U.S. Territory, or Canadian Province of the residence _______ 

 10. Decedent’s country of residence _________________

Instructions for the optional method 

When item 1 “Building” is to be completed, the following instructions should appear. 

 Enter the street number assigned to the decedent’s residence. 

 Do not record a R.R. number or P.O. box. 

 If the number is unknown, enter “Unknown.” 

When item 2 “Name of street” is to be completed, the following instructions should appear. 

Enter the “street” name of the decedent’s residence. 

 Do not enter a R.R. number.

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix in front of the street 

name. If the “street” name has a direction after the name, enter the direction after 

the name. 
Item 7 

Page 8 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Examples: South Main Street. Enter the name as South Main. 

Walker Street NW. Enter the name as Walker NW. 

When item 3 “Street designator” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear. 

Enter the street designator. 

Examples of the street designator are words like Street, Avenue, Road, Circle, 

Court, etc. 

When item 4 “Apartment number” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear. 

If there is no apartment or room number associated with this residence, leave the 

item blank. 

When item 5 “City or town” is to be completed, no instructions are needed. 

When item 6 “Inside city limits” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear. 

If uncertain if the residence is inside the city or town limits, check the “Unknown” 

box. 

When item 7 “Zip code” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear. 

 

 If only the 5 digit Zip code is known, report that. 

If the decedent was not a resident of the U.S. or its territories, leave this item blank. 

If the decedent’s country of residence is unknown, enter “Unknown.” 

When item 8 “County of residence” is to be completed, the following instruction should appear. 

If the decedent resided in any country other than the United States or its territories, 

leave this item blank. 

When item 9 “U.S. State, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or Canadian territory” is to be 

completed, the following instructions should appear. 

 Enter the U.S. State or U.S. territory. 

If the decedent resided in a Canadian province or Canadian territory, enter the 

name of the province or territory. 

If the decedent resided in any country other than the U.S., its territories, or Canada, 

leave this item blank. 
Item 7 

Page 9 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

When item 10 “Country of residence” is to be completed, the following instructions should 

appear: Country of residence need not appear if a state, territory, or province is entered. A 

table of states, territories, and provinces should be examined and the correct country autofilled. 

If a valid U.S. State or U.S. territory was entered in the previous item, “United 

States” will automatically be entered. 

If a valid Canadian province or Canadian territory was entered in the previous 

item, “Canada” will automatically be entered. 

If the decedent is not a resident of the U.S., its territories, or Canada, enter the 

name of the decedent’s country of residence. 

If the decedent’s country of residence is unknown, enter “unknown.” 

PROCESSING VARIABLES:

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITIONS

STNUM Street number 

PREDIR Pre-directional 

STNAME Street name 

STDESIG Street designator 

POSTDIR Post-directional 

UNUM Unit or apartment number 

CITY City or Town name 

CITYC City or Town code See Appendix C 

ZIP Zip Code 

COUNTY County 

COUNTYC County code See Appendix C 

STATE State/Province 

STATEC State/Province code See Appendix D

COUNTRY Country 

COUNTRYC Country code See Appendix B 

LIMITS Inside city limits Y Yes 

 N No 

 U Unknown 

TRANSLATIONS 

Response Mapping (examples) 

 Response Maps to values
Item 7 

Page 10 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Country Name FIPS 10-4 two character codes 

(Appendix B, to be superceded by 

NCHS, Instruction manual, Part 8A) 

State/Province Name FIPS 5-2 two character codes or 

Canadian two character postal codes 

(Appendix D, to be superceded by 

NCHS Part 8A) 

City/Town Name FIPS 55-3 five digit place codes 

(Appendix C, to be superceded by 

NCHS Part 8A) 

County Name FIPS 6-4 three digit County codes 

(Appendix C, to be superceded by 

NCHS Part 8A) 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

1. If country is unknown, then city, county and State may also be unknown. Do not run any table 

look-ups for city, county or State. 

2. If country is known and is not the U.S. or Canada, then city, county, and State/Province may 

be blank. 

3. If country is Canada, city and county may be blank, but run table look-ups for 

State/Province. 

The Province is checked against Canadian Postal Codes (Appendix B). If not in table and if 

it is an electronic record, a message should appear asking that the name be checked. Enter 

revised data; if edit fails again, code Province to “unknown.” Keep literal. For a paper 

record, automatically reject and follow-up with the funeral director. If rejected a second 

time, code Province to “unknown.” 

4. If country is the U.S., run table look-ups for State/Province, County, and city. 

State is checked in FIPS 5-2. If not in table and if it is an electronic record, a message 

should appear asking that the name be checked. Enter revised data; if edit fails again, code 

State to “unknown.” Keep literal. For a paper record, automatically reject and follow-up 

with the funeral director. If rejected a second time, code State to “unknown.” 
Item 7 

Page 11 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

The city name is checked in FIPS 55-3 name table. If not in table and if it is an electronic 

record, a message should appear asking that the name be checked. Enter revised data; if 

edit fails again, code city to “unknown.” Keep the literals. For a paper record, 

automatically reject and follow-up with the funeral director. If rejected a second time, code 

city to “unknown.” 

Code County using FIPS 6-4. If not in table, then reject record for review and/or follow-up. 

If electronic record, reject at funeral home. Error message should indicate that the county is 

not listed, please check and re-enter. Record cannot be printed or filed without a county 

entered. “Unknown” is an acceptable entry for found, unidentified bodies, and foreign 

residents.

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

If all components of residence are unknown, use place of occurrence as place of residence for 

statistical purposes. States may wish to keep the record unknown for legal files. It is 

recommended that States keep this information in as detailed a format as possible. See the 

recommended electronic format below. For data collected on paper records, keying instructions 

need to reflect the detail of the electronic record. If States elect to use GIS on these data then 

space in the State data file will be needed for the derived variables of latitude, longitude, centroid 

and extended nine-digit zip code. 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

For the purpose of recording and printing certified copies from the electronic file and for geocoding the record, it is recommended that the address field be separated into fields as described 

below. These fields generally correspond to the CDC-HISSB recommendations. However, the 

field lengths do not correspond to the recommendations because the literal entries need to be 

captured. If a State desires, the literal entries can be transposed to abbreviations for purposes of 

compacting the file using standard abbreviations as recommended in the HISSB standards. 

States may wish to collect zip code to the ninth digit when known rather than just five. 

Suggested field names are: 

DESCRIPTION NAME LENGTH

Street number STNUM 10 

Pre-directional PREDIR 10 

 Street name STNAME 28 

 Street designator STDESIG 10 

 Post-directional POSTDIR 10 

 Unit or apartment number UNUM 7 

 City or Town name CITY 28 

 Zip Code ZIP 9 

 County COUNTY 28 
Item 7 

Page 12 of 12 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 State/Province STATE 28 

 Country COUNTRY 28 

States may also opt to retain coded fields as well as the literal entries. If coded fields are 

maintained as well, there are HISSB standards that should be used. Literals for countries should 

be assigned codes using FIPS 10-4 using the two character codes for nations (Appendix B). 

County should be coded using three digit FIPS 6-4 codes (Appendix C). City of residence should 

be transmitted to NCHS using FIPS 55-3 five digit codes (Appendix C). State/Province should 

be coded using two character codes (FIPS 5-2 and Canadian postal codes, see Appendix D). 

Note that new FIPS 10-4 tables are issued regularly. As new FIPS 10-4 tables are issued, new 

codes should be added, but do not replace existing codes. The old codes are needed for 

consistency. 

“Incremental browsing” may be used to facilitate quicker selection of the state or country of 

residence. Incremental bowsing refers to the process in which the keyer enters the first or so 

letter of the state, territory or country and the system automatically presents the list of places 

beginning with that letter(s). The keyer then can more readily select the correct locale without 

typing in the rest of the word. For example, for birthplace, when the keyer enters the letter “C: 

the system would automatically go to where “Cambodia” is on the list. If the keyer enters the 

letters “Ch,” the system would automatically go to where “Chad” is on the list. 

 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

States that elect to use a GIS coding process prior to submission of data to NCHS shall replace 

the codes for city, town, or other place as well as county codes with those derived from the GIS 

process. 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

CITYC City/Town 5 Numeric Appendix C 

COUNTYC County 3 Numeric Appendix C 

STATEC State/Province 2 Alphabetic Appendix D 

COUNTRYC Country 2 Alphabetic Appendix B 

LIMITS Inside City Limits 1 Alphabetic Y, N, U 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 8 

Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 

Item Title: EVER IN THE ARMED FORCES? (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.) 

Item Number: 8 

Description: Information on whether or not the deceased 

 was ever in the armed forces. 

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director

ASK THE INFORMANT: Was ________________ever in the armed forces? 

Check the appropriate box in item 8. 

 Yes 

 No 

If it is not known if the deceased was ever in the armed forces, write “Unknown.” 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

The entry screen should appear as below. 

Ever in armed forces? 

 Yes 

 No 

 Unknown 

PROCESSING VARIABLE: 

NAMES DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES DEFINITION
Item 8 

Page 2 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

ARMF Decedent in armed forces 1 Y Yes 

 N No 

 U Unknown 

EDITS: 

PAPER RECORDS 

Records should be queried if “Ever in the armed forces” item is blank. 

 ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

Must be a valid code. 

 

 
Item 9 

Page 1 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: MARITAL STATUS

Item Number: 9

Description: Current marital status of the decedent. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director

 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What was the marital status of the decedent at the time of death? 

NOTE: Just because a spouse may be the informant does not preclude the possibility of married 

but separated. 

• “Annulled and not remarried” and “never previously married” are considered “Never 

Married.” 

• “Not remarried” and “married previously” are classified as how the previous marriage 

terminated (Widowed, Divorced). 

• “Common Law marriage” is considered “Married.” 

• “Indian marriage” is considered “Married.” 

Check one and only one category on the certificate. 

 Married 

 Married but separated 

 Widowed (and not remarried) 

 Divorced (and not remarried) 

 Never Married 

 Unknown 
Item 9 

Page 2 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

The marital status item is completed by selecting one response from the menu. 

Menu for Marital Status of the Decedent 

 Married 

 Married but separated 

 Widowed (and not remarried) 

 Divorced (and not remarried) 

 Never Married 

 Unknown 

 Not Obtainable 

Instructions to be included in the help function. 

Information not available: 

• Check the “Not obtainable” box only when there is no knowledgeable informant or 

other source for this information. 

• Check the “Unknown” box only when there is an informant, and the informant does 

not know the marital status of the decedent. 

Special Cases 

• “Annulled, not remarried” and “never previously married” - select “Never Married.” 

• “Not remarried” and “married previously” - select the item reflecting how the 

previous marriage terminated (“Widowed,” “Divorced”). 

• “Common Law marriage” - select “Married.” 

• “Indian marriage” - select “Married.”

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

MARITAL Marital status M Married 

 A Married but separated 

 W Widowed 

D Divorced 

 S Never married 

 N Not obtainable 

 U Unknown 
Item 9 

Page 3 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

MARITAL _BYPASS Edit Flag 0 OFF (edit passed) 

 

1 ON (edit failed, data queried 

and verified) 

2 ON (edit failed, data queried 

but not verified) 

3 ON (edit failed, review 

needed) 

4 ON (edit failed, query 

needed) (paper only) 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

Electronic record must contain one of the valid responses indicated above. If the funeral 

director skips this item for completion later, a query screen will appear before the record can be 

printed or filed. The query screen is the same as the initial entry screen. The header for the 

screen however will indicate that one of the categories below must be selected before the record 

can be printed or filed. The item cannot be left blank. 

In addition, if the age of the decedent is less than 12 years of age (using calculated age) and 

marital status is any response but “never married,” a message appears asking the funeral 

director to check the marital status. 

This automated edit asks the funeral director to verify or change the marital status. If a change 

to this item is made, the edit is immediately rerun. If the edit still fails, the record is accepted. 

The age item is not checked because both the recorded age and calculated age have already 

been checked for consistency; thus, it is very unlikely that an incorrect age would cause the edit 

to fail. 
Item 9 

Page 4 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

SAMPLE ERROR MESSAGE AND QUERY SCREENS 

The information entered indicates that the decedent was less than 12 years of age and marital 

status was _____________. Please review the information and complete the screen below. 

The decedent’s marital status was recorded as: _________________ 

 Incorrect 

 Correct 

 Not able to verify 

If the incorrect box is checked, the marital status menu appears and a message asks that a choice 

be made from the menu. 

Edit bypass flags 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

The edit bypass flag default is OFF-0. When the initial edit is run and the data pass the edit, the 

bypass flag remains at OFF-0. 

When the edit fails, the edit bypass flag is set to ON-3. An error message and query screen then 

appears. The edit bypass flag is then reset to a value determined by the response to the query 

(see detail below). 

 

If the “Correct” box is checked, the edit bypass flag is reset to ON-1 (edit failed, data verified). 

If the “Not able to verify” box is checked, the edit bypass flag is set to ON-2 (queried but not 

verified). 

If the “Incorrect“ box is checked, the edit is run with the new data. If the edit fails, the bypass 

flag is set to ON-1 (queried and verified). If the edit passes, the flag is set to OFF-0. 

PAPER RECORD 

Records filed with marital status blank or with an improper entry are queried. If there is no 

response to the query, assign the “Unknown” code. 

The edit bypass flag default is OFF-0. When the initial edit is run and the data pass the edit, the 

bypass flag remains OFF-0. 

When the edit fails, the edit bypass flag is set to ON-3. Data from the paper record must then be 

re-keyed. If re-keyed data pass the edit, the bypass flag is reset to OFF-0. If re-keyed data fail 

the edit, the bypass flag is reset to ON-4, flagging the record to query the funeral director. If the 

state does not query the funeral director the flag remains at ON-4. 
Item 9 

Page 5 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

In addition, for paper records, if age is less than 12 years of age (use calculated age) and 

marital status is any response but “never married,” the funeral director should be queried to 

check the Date of Birth and Marital Status field entries for possible errors. 

If the funeral director verifies that the data are correct, the bypass flag is reset to ON-1. If there 

is no response to the funeral director query, the bypass flag is reset to ON-2. If the funeral 

director’s response to the query still fails the edit, the bypass flag is set to ON-1. 

 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

States may want to keep these MARITAL STATUS codes N and U for monitoring funeral 

directors’ responses to this item. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

For NCHS transmission, values of N (not obtainable) and U (unknown) are combined into one 

value U for “Not Classifiable.” 

The value of “3” for the MARITAL_BYPASS variable used for processing edits is not an 

allowable value when transmitting data to NCHS.

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

MARITAL 1 Alpha character string M, A, W, D, S, U 

MARITAL _BYPASS 1 Numeric character string 0,1,2,4 

 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 10 

Page 1 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: SURVING SPOUSE’S NAME (If wife give name prior to 

first marriage) (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Number: 10 

Description: The name of the surviving spouse

Sources of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director: 

If the deceased was not married at the time of death, leave this item blank. 

This item is sometimes subject to fraudulent entries either by design or 

unknowingly (non- recognized common law marriages). Usually this will occur 

when an informant pretends to be the surviving spouse of a decedent that either 

is not married, or is married to another person at the time of death. If there is any 

suspicion about the marital situation try and check it out before entering the 

surviving spouse’s name. 

In all cases enter as much of the name as is known by the informant and enter 

“unknown” in any of the fields where part of the name is not known. 

If the informant is the surviving female spouse, 

ASK: What was your name prior to your first marriage? 

Print or type the name as provided by the surviving spouse (First, Middle, and 

Last Names including suffix). 

 

If the informant is the surviving male spouse, 

ASK: What is your name? 

Print or type the name as provided by the surviving spouse (First, Middle, and 

Last Names including suffix). 
Item 10 

Page 2 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the informant is not the surviving spouse and the deceased was a married male, 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What was ___________’s wife’s name prior to her first 

marriage? 

If the informant answers that they do not know, ask if they can find out. If the 

answer is no they cannot find out. 

Print or type “Unknown” in the space. 

If the informant is going to try and find out the surviving spouses name before 

her first marriage leave the space blank at this time. 

If a name is provided, print or type the name as provided by the informant (First, 

Middle, and Last Names including suffix). 

If the informant is not the surviving spouse and the deceased was a married 

female, 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What is______________’s husband’s name? 

If the informant answers that they do not know, ask if they can find out. If the 

answer is no, they cannot find out. 

Print or type “Unknown” in the space. 

If the informant is going to try and find out the surviving spouses name, leave the 

space blank at this time. 

If a name is provided, print or type the name as provided by the informant (First, 

Middle, and Last Names including suffix). 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

See the above for obtaining the surviving spouse’s name 

EDR Developer 

The paper death certificate does not have separate boxes for the surviving spouse’s names. It is 

recommended that the EDR have as a minimum separate fields for the first name(s)/ middle 

name(s), last name(s)/and last name suffix. The screen should also have a check box for 

unknown and pending. If part of the name is known enter that part of the name and “unknown” 

for the part(s) that are not known. 
Item 10 

Page 3 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Developers may want to record or separate first and middle names depending on state 

requirements. 

 Developers may elect use a single name entry field and parse the names for storage if 

acceptable by the state. Developers may just use a single name field for collection and storage 

depending on state needs. 

The surviving spouse’s name screen should appear only if the marital status item indicates the 

deceased is currently married (responses married now, married but separated). For any other 

responses, the item should be skipped. 

 

When completing the first name/ middle name entry box, the following message 

should pop up and not obscure the item completion area. 

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Initials 

If the box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Initials 

If the informant indicates only a first initial such as “E. Mary Jones,” enter 

the E followed by a period. If the informant indicates two initials such as 

H.S. Smith, enter each initial followed by a period. 

When completing the last name entry, the following message should pop up. 

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Multiple last names 

 Special characters in last names 

 Last name suffixes 

If the first help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Multiple last names 

If more than one last name is given separated by a hyphen, enter 

exactly as given with the hyphen. If there is more than one last name 

and no hyphen, enter the two names with a space between them. 

If the second help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 
Item 10 

Page 4 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Special characters in last names 

If the last name has a space or apostrophe following prefixes, such 

as Mac Pherson or O’Toole, enter as given with the space or 

apostrophe. 

If the third help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Last name suffixes 

Suffixes and generation identifiers are to be entered in the last name 

field. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES 

SSPFNAME First /middle names 100 Alpha characters 

SSPLNAME Last name/Suffixes 50 Alpha characters 

EDITS 

BOTH ELECTRONIC AND PAPER RECORDS 

Name fields must contain English alphabetic characters and any accent or special characters as 

determined by the state, or be blank. 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

If the “Unknown” box is checked, the field should be blank 

If the “Pending” box is checked, the review screen should contain the item. If the name cannot 

be obtained, the “Unknown” box should be checked. 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that states keep name information in as detailed a format as possible. For data 

collected on paper records, keying instructions need to be the same as those for the electronic 

record. 
Item 11 

Page 1 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: FATHER’S NAME 

Item Number: 11 

Description: The name of the decedent’s father. Includes first name, middle 

name, last name, and suffixes. Do not include AKA’s.

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

 Other Acceptable Sources: Legal documents or other records 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Funeral Director

 

NCHS only gets names for National Death Index (NDI) use. The father’s surname or last name 

is useful in determining if there is a match in the NDI. 

 

It is suggested that you have the informant check the spelling and order of names before entering 

the name into the computer. 

The name must consist of English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 

If the father’s name cannot be determined, enter “Unknown” in the name field. Enter the known 

parts of the name. 

ASK THE INFORMANT 

What was _________’s father’s complete legal name starting with the first name? 

Record the name provided by the informant on a separate sheet of paper and verify the 

name, spelling, and order of the names with the informant. 

 Once the name is verified, print or type the name on the certificate. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

Funeral Director 
Item 11 

Page 2 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

It is suggested that you have the informant check the spelling and order of names before entering 

the name into the computer. 

The name must consist of English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 

ASK THE INFORMANT: 

What was _________’s father’s legal name starting with the first name? 

Record the name provided by the informant and go over the name with the informant to 

be sure what should go in the first name field, the middle name field and the last name 

field. 

EDR Developer 

While the paper death certificate does not have separate boxes for the names of the decedent’s 

father, the EDR may have separate fields for first, middle, last name, and last name suffix. 

When the name screen appears, display the following at the top of the screen until all the name 

fields are completed. 

When completing the first name entry box or the middle name entry box, the following message 

should pop up. 

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Help on multiple first or middle names 

 Initials 

 Religious names and titles 

 No first or middle names 

If the first help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Multiple first or middle names 

If the informant indicates two first names separated by a space, such as “Billy Ray 

Carter,” verify that “Ray” is part of the first name and is not a middle name. 

Enter the two first names with a blank space between them. 

If several middle names are given, enter all with a space between the names. 

If the second help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 
Item 11 

Page 3 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Initials 

If the informant indicates that the person uses a first initial such as “E. Charles 

Jones,” try to obtain the whole first name. 

If the name can be obtained enter the whole first name. If not, enter just the initial 

followed by a period. 

If the informant indicates two initials and a last name such as “H.S. Green,” 

determine if these are a first and middle initial, or two first initials with no middle 

name or initial. Try to obtain the whole name(s). 

If the names can be obtained, enter the whole names in the appropriate spaces. If 

there are no whole names then enter the initials in the appropriate spaces. Each 

initial should be followed by a period.

If the third help box is checked, the following instruction appears:

 Religious names and titles 

If there is a title preceding the name, such as “Doctor,” do not enter the title in any 

of the name fields. 

For religious names such as “Brother John Francis,” enter “Brother John” in the 

first name field.

If the fourth help box is checked, the following instruction appears:

No first or middle names 

If the name is unknown, leave the first and middle name fields blank and enter only 

the last name.

When the last name entry box is being completed, the following message should pop up:

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Multiple last names 

 Unknown last name 

 Special characters in last names 

 Last name suffixes 

If the first help box is checked, the following instruction appears:

 Multiple last names 
Item 11 

Page 4 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If more than one last name is given separated by a hyphen, enter exactly as 

given with the hyphen. If there is more than one last name and no hyphen, 

enter the two names with a space between them. 

If the second help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

 Unknown last name 

If the last name is unknown, enter “unknown” in the last name field and 

leave the other fields blank. 

If the third help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

 Special characters in last names 

If the last name has a space or apostrophe following prefixes, such as Mac 

Pherson or O’Toole, enter as given with the space or apostrophe. 

If the fourth help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Last name suffixes 

Suffixes and generation identifiers are to be entered in the suffix field. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

FGNAME First name Alpha characters 

FMNAME Middle name Alpha characters 

FLNAME Last name Alpha characters 

FSUFF Last name suffix Alpha characters

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

BOTH ELECTRONIC AND PAPER RECORDS 

The name must consist of English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 
Item 11 

Page 5 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that states keep name information in as detailed a format as possible. See the 

recommended electronic format below. States may want to design their paper certificate or the 

instructions to facilitate the separation of first names, middle names, and last names. For data 

collected on paper records, keying instructions need to be the same as those for the electronic 

record. 

 NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES 

 

FGNAME 50 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

FMNAME 50 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

FLNAME 50 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

FSUFF 20 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

 NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

NCHS only uses the father’s last name or surname. This field may be sent for all records, but it 

is required for female decedents and any male decedents with different last names than their 

fathers. 

Eliminate any punctuation characters after initials. 

 

VARIABLES: 

 

NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES 

 

FLNAME 50 Alpha character string Alpha characters 

 

Transmitted to NCHS for NDI application only. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 12 

Page 1 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: MOTHER’S NAME PRIOR TO FIRST 

MARRIAGE (First, Middle, Last, Suffix) (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.) 

Item Number: 12 

Description: The name of the decedent’s mother prior to first marriage. 

Sources of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director: 

If the informant is the surviving female spouse, 

In all cases if part of the name is known enter that part of the name and “unkown” for 

the part(s) that are not known. 

ASK: What was your husband’s mother’s name prior to her first marriage? 

If the informant answers that they do not know, ask if they can find out. If the 

answer is no they cannot find out. 

Print or type “Unknown” in the space. 

If the informant is going to try and find out name of her husband’s mother before 

her first marriage leave the space blank at this time. 

Print or type the name as provided by the surviving spouse (First, Middle, and 

Last Names including suffix). 

 

If the informant is the surviving male spouse, 

ASK: What was your wife’s mother’s name prior to her first marriage? 
Item 12 

Page 2 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the informant answers that they do not know, ask if they can find out. If the 

answer is no they cannot find out. 

Print or type “Unknown” in the space. 

If the informant is going to try and find out his wife’s mother’s name before her 

first marriage leave the space blank at this time. 

Print or type the name as provided by the surviving spouse (First, Middle, and 

Last Names including suffix). 

If the informant is not the surviving spouse, 

ASK THE INFORMANT: What was ___________’s mother’s name prior to her first 

marriage? 

If the informant answers that they do not know, ask if they can find out. If the 

answer is no they cannot find out. 

Print or type “Unknown” in the space. 

If the informant is going to try and find out the decedent’s mother’s name before 

her first marriage leave the space blank at this time. 

If a name is provided, print or type the name as provided by the informant (First, 

Middle, and Last Names including suffix). 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

See the above for obtaining the decedent’s mother’s name prior to first 

marriage. 

EDR Developer 

The paper death certificate does not have separate boxes for the decedent’s mother’s names 

prior to first marriage. It is recommended that the EDR have separate fields for the first name(s), 

middle name(s), last name(s), and last name suffix. The screen should also have a check box for 

unknown and pending. 

In all cases if part of the name is known enter that part of the name and “unkown” for the part(s) 

that are not known. 

Developers may elect use a single name entry field and parse the names for storage if acceptable 

by the state. 
Item 12 

Page 3 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

When completing the first name entry box or the middle name entry box, the 

following message should pop up and not obscure the item completion area. 

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Help on multiple first or middle names 

 Initials 

 

If the first help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Multiple first or middle names 

If two first names separated by a space, such as “Mary Louise Carter” are 

indicated, verify that “Louise” is part of the first name and is not a middle 

name. 

Enter the two first names with a blank space between them. 

If several middle names are given, enter all with a space between the 

names. 

If the second help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Initials 

If the informant indicates only a first initial such as “E. Mary Jones,” enter 

the E followed by a period. 

If the informant indicates two initials and a last name such as “H.S. Green,” 

determine if these are a first and middle initial, or two first initials with no 

middle name or initial. 

Enter the initials in the appropriate spaces. Each initial should be followed 

by a period. 

When completing the last name entry, the following message should pop up. 

IF YOU NEED HELP, CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW: 

 Multiple last names 

 Special characters in last names 

 Last name suffixes 

If the first help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Multiple last names 
Item 12 

Page 4 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If more than one last name is given separated by a hyphen, enter 

exactly as given with the hyphen. If there is more than one last name 

and no hyphen, enter the two names with a space between them. 

If the second help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Special characters in last names 

If the last name has a space or apostrophe following prefixes, such 

as Mac Pherson or O’Toole, enter as given with the space or 

apostrophe. 

If the third help box is checked, the following instruction appears: 

Last name suffixes 

Suffixes and generation identifiers are to be entered in the suffix 

field. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES 

MFNAME First name 50 Alpha characters 

MMNAME Middle name 50 Alpha characters 

MLNAME Last name 50 Alpha characters 

MLNSUFF Last name suffix 20 Alpha characters 

EDITS 

BOTH ELECTRONIC AND PAPER RECORDS 

Name fields must contain English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state, or be blank. 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

If the “Unknown” box is checked, the field should be blank 

If the “Pending” box is checked, the review screen should contain the item. If the name cannot 

be obtained, the “Unknown” box should be checked. 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 
Item 12 

Page 5 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

It is recommended that states keep name information in as detailed a format as possible. For data 

collected on paper records, keying instructions need to be the same as those for the electronic 

record.
Item 13a 

Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: INFORMANT’S NAME (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.) 

Item Number: 13a 

Description: The informant’s name

Sources of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Print or type the informant’s name. 

In all cases enter as much of the name as is known and “unknown” for the part(s) 

of the name that are not known.

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

Enter the informant’s name. 

EDR Developer 

The paper death certificate does not have separate boxes for the informant’s name. 

The EDR should have at a minimum separate fields for the first /middle name(s), last name(s) 

(surname). 

Developers may want to record or separate first and middle names depending on state 

requirements. 

Developers may elect to record the names in separate fields or to parse the names after entry to 

a single field to separate the first/middle(s) from the last name. 

In all cases enter as much of the name as is known and “unknown” for the part(s) 

of the name that are not known. 
Item 13a 

Page 2 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES 

INFOFFNAME First name and middle name 100 Alpha characters 

INFOLNAME Last name 50 Alpha characters 

BOTH ELECTRONIC AND PAPER RECORDS 

Name fields must contain English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 

There must be an entry in the last name field. The first/middle name field can be blank 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that states keep name information in as detailed a format as possible. For data 

collected on paper records, keying instructions need to be the same as those for the electronic 

record. 

 

 
Item 13c 

Page 1 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: INFORMANT’S MAILING ADDRESS 

 STREET AND NUMBER 

 CITY 

STATE 

 ZIP CODE 

 (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.) 

Item Number: 13c 

Description: The informant’s mailing address 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

This is the mailing or postal address of the informant. 

Print or type the number of building, any apartment number, then the name 

of any pre-direction, then the street name, along with any post-directions, 

then the street designator. 

Examples of street designator are words like Street, Avenue, Road, Circle, 

Court etc. 

If the mailing address is a post office box enter that here as well. 

Print or type the name of the city, town, or other location. 

Print or type the USA State or Territory. 

 

If a Canadian Province or Territory, print or type the name of the province 

or territory followed by “ / Canada.” 

If the mailing address is any other foreign country, print or type the name 

of the country.

Print or type the 5 digit Zip code or the nine digit Zip code if known. 
Item 13c 

Page 2 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the deceased was not a resident of the USA or its territories, leave this 

item 

Blank.

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

For the name of the city town or location, State, U.S. Territory, or Canadian Province or Name 

of Country, as an entry is made, incremental browsing of possible names appropriate to the 

space is allowed 

Data entry should be set up in the order identified below corresponding to item 

13c on the certificate. When some items are to be completed, specific 

instructions are required to appear 

 

 Same as residence 

If this box is checked the EDR system should transfer the corresponding items 

from the decedent’s residence item (item 7a-g) to the appropriate processing 

variables in accordance with a table identified under translations below. The 

system then should move to the next item. 

2. Complete number and street name :__________________________ 

3. Apartment number:______________ 

4. P.O. Box:___________ 

4. Name of the city, town, or location:_____________ 

5. State, U.S. Territory, or Canadian Province:___________________ 

6. Zip code:______________ 

 7. Name of country if not USA:_________________ 

When item 2 “Apartment number” is to be completed, the following instruction 

should appear. 

If there is no apartment, leave the item blank. 

When item 3 “P.O. Box” is to be completed, the following instruction should 

appear. 

If there is no P.O. Box number, leave this item blank. 

When item 6 “Zip code” is to be completed, the following instruction should 

appear. 

 

If the decedent was not a resident of the USA or its territories, leave this item 

blank. 
Item 13c 

Page 3 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the decedent’s country of residence is unknown, enter unknown 

When item 7 “Name of country if not U.S.A.” is to be completed, the following 

instructions should appear. 

If the decedent was a resident of the USA, leave this item blank. 

If the decedent was not a resident of the USA, enter the name of the decedent’s 

country of residence. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES:

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES

ISTNAME Complete number and street name 70 Alpha character 

IAPT Apartment number 7 Alpha character 

ICITY City or Town name 28 Alpha character 

ISTATE State, Territory or Province 28 Alpha character 

IZIP Zip Code 9 Numeric character 

COUNTRY Country 28 Alpha character 

 

TRANSLATIONS 

Response Mapping (examples) if “same as residence” box is checked. 

 

Residence Response Maps to Mailing address

Street number, pre-directional, street name, variable ISTNAME 

Post-directional, and street designator (variables: 

(STNUM,PREDIR,STNAME,POSTDIR,STDESIG) 

Unit or apartment number (variable UNUM) variable IAPT 

City or Town name (variable CITY) variable ICITY 

 

State or Province Name (variable STATE) variable ISTATE 

Country Name (variable COUNTRY) variable ICOUNTRY 

Zip code (variable ZIP) variable IZIP 
Item 13c 

Page 4 of 4 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

EDITS 

1. If country is known and is not USA, then city and State fields may be blank. 

2. If USA and there is a response to city, town or location and zip code, check for valid zip 

code. 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

For data collected on paper records, keying instructions need to reflect the detail of the electronic 

record. 

States may also opt to retain coded fields as well as the literal entries. If coded fields are 

maintained as well, ISO standards should be used. See the translation below. 

Response Mapping (examples) if states elect to code this item 

Response Maps to values

Country Name ISO two character codes (Appendix A) 

 

State or Province Name FIPS 5-2 two character codes or Canadian two character 

postal codes (Appendix B) 

City/Town, Location Name FIPS 55-3 five digit place codes 

 (Appendix C) 

 

 
Item 14 

Page 1 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: PLACE OF DEATH 

Item Number: 14

Description: The physical location where the decedent died.

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Funeral Director 

 Other Acceptable Sources: Pronouncer 

 Certifying Physician 

 Medical Examiner or Coroner

 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director 

The place where death is pronounced should be considered the place where death occurred. 

If the place of death is not known and the body was found in the State, enter the place where the 

body was found as the place of death. 

 

If death occurred in a hospital, then check one of the boxes in the space titled IF DEATH 

OCCURRED IN A HOSPITAL. 

 

If death did not occur in a hospital, check one of the boxes in the space titled IF DEATH 

OCCURRED SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN A HOSPITAL. If the “Other (Specify)” box is 

checked, print or type the place where the death occurred on the line next to the “Other 

(Specify)” box. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR developer 

The place death occurred is to be chosen from a menu list partitioned on if death occurred in a 

hospital or elsewhere. The following instruction should appear when this item is to be 

completed. 

The place where death is pronounced should be considered the place where death occurred. 
Item 14 

Page 2 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the place of death is not known and the body was found in the State, enter the place 

where the body was found as the place of death. 

Place of death menu: 

Death occurred in a hospital. 

 Inpatient 

 Emergency Room /Outpatient 

 DOA (dead on arrival) 

Death did not occur in a hospital. 

 Decedent’s home 

 Hospice facility 

 Nursing home/Long term care facility 

 Other (specify)

 

If the “Other (Specify)” box is checked, then a place to record the other place of death should 

appear. 

 Please enter the place where the death occurred.

 Place of death:____________________________ 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

DPLACE Place of death 1 Inpatient 

 2 Emergency room/Outpatient 

 3 Dead on arrival 

 4 Decedent’s home 

 5 Hospice facility 

 6 Nursing home/Long term care facility 

 7 Other 

 9 Unknown 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 
Item 14 

Page 3 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

Electronic record must contain one of the valid responses indicated above. 

The item cannot be left blank. If blank, a query screen (same as entry screen) appears. 

The record cannot be filed or printed with this item blank. 

PAPER RECORD 

Paper records filed with this field blank are queried. If no response to query, the code for 

“Other (Specify)” is assigned. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Must be a valid code (see below). 

Item cannot be blank. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

States will have to record literal entries in order to print certified copies from the electronic file. 

States may elect to code the “Other (Specify)” entries for statistical purposes and to add a facility 

identification number field which could be the NPI number. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

DPLACE 1 Numeric character string 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Items 15, 16, 17 

Page 1 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: FACILITY NAME 

 CITY, TOWN, STATE, AND ZIP CODE 

 COUNTY 

Item Numbers: 15, 16, 17 

Description: The geographic location where the death occurred. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Funeral Director 

 Other Acceptable Sources: Pronouncer 

Certifying Physician 

 Medical Examiner or Coroner 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director, Pronouncer, Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner or Coroner 

 

For item 15, print or type the name of the institution where the decedent died. If the decedent did 

not die in an institution, print or type the street and number of the building (if at a building) 

where the decedent died. 

For item 16, print or type the name of the city and State where the institution is located or of the 

address given in item 15, then print or type the Zip code. 

For item 17, print or type the name of the county in which the institution or address given in item 

15 is located.

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

The EDR system should contain a master table of all institutions where a death might occur. This 

would include at a minimum, hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facilities, and hospice 

facilities. 

When the name of an institution is entered, the entry should be compared to the master table, 

and if found, the required information for items 16 and 17 should be entered automatically and 

then move to the next item. 
Items 15, 16, 17 

Page 2 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 

Data entry should be set up in the order below. When each item is to be completed a screen with 

specific instructions should appear. The instructions are listed below: 

Instructions for item 15 (Name of the institution). 

• If the death occurred in an institution, enter the name of the institution. 

• If death did not occur in an institution, leave blank and tab to item 16. 

If an institution is named, the master table is examined to obtain the information for items 16 and 

17. If the institution is located, the information is entered automatically and the next item to be 

completed appears. 

If the institution is not located in the table, the following message should appear: 

• The name of the institution entered above is not listed in the master table of institutions, 

please complete the items below. 

• To have the institution added to the table, contact ________ at __________.

Items to be entered for non-institution deaths or deaths where the institution is not in the master 

table. 

1. Building number _______ 

 2. Name of the “street” __________________ 

 3. “Street” designator ______________ 

 4. Name of the city or town _____________ 

 5. State of the above address __________________ 

 6. Zip code of the above address __________________ 

7. County of the above address ________________ 

Instructions for items 15, 16, and 17 (non-institution deaths) 

These instructions should appear when the specific item is being completed. 

 

Instructions for “Building number” 

• Leave this blank if decedent did not die in a building. 

Instructions for “Name of street”

• If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix in front of the street 

name. If the “street” name has a direction after the name, enter the direction after the 

name. 

Examples: South Main Street. Enter the name as South Main. 
Items 15, 16, 17 

Page 3 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 Walker Street NW. Enter the name as Walker NW. 

Instructions for “Street designator” 

• Examples of the street designator are words like Street, Avenue, Road, Circle, Court 

etc. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

DINSTI Institution Literal 

DSTNUM Street number 

DSTNAME Street name Literal 

DSTDESIG Street designator 

DNAME City or town name Literal 

DSTATE State See Appendix D 

DZIP9 Zip code 

COD County See Appendix C 

TRANSLATIONS 

Response mapping (examples)

Response Maps to values

City/Town Name FIPS 55-3 five digit code (Appendix C) 

County Name FIPS 6-4 three digit codes (Appendix C) 

State Name FIPS 5-2 two character codes (Appendix D)

 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

The name of the county is compared to a list of counties for the State where the death 

occurred to identify and correct spelling errors. 

If the county is not listed, an error message will appear that reads:

The county where death occurred is not a valid county for this State. 

 Please re-enter the county ___________________ 
Items 15, 16, 17 

Page 4 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that States keep this information in as detailed a format as possible. See the 

recommended electronic format below. For data collected on paper records keying instructions 

need to reflect the detail of the electronic record. States may elect to code cities and institutions 

for quality control and statistical purposes. Coding of counties is required. States should keep 

the literal entries in order to be able to print certified copies. Data fields of sufficient size should 

be reserved for this purpose. States may wish to collect zip code to the ninth digit when known 

rather than just five digits. See suggested list below: 

DESCRIPTION NAME LENGTH

 Institution DINSTI 30 

 Street number DSTNUM 10 

Street name DSTNAME 50 

 Street designator DSTDESIG 10 

 City or town name DNAME 28 

 State name DSTATEL 28 

 Zip code DZIP9 9 

 County DCOUNTY 28 

 

As mentioned for item 14, States may elect to add a facility identification number field which 

could be the NPI number. 

States may choose to use the responses to item 14 to simplify data entry of items 15-17. For 

example, if decedent’s home was selected in item 14, then the software can ask if this address is 

the same as reported in item 7. If other was selected in item 14, States may want to give 

additional instructions for reporting places that do not have a standard address. States may 

choose to use “incremental browsing” to identify the facility for deaths occurring in facilities 

rather than the process recommended in this specification. 

“Incremental browsing” may be used to facilitate quicker selection of the facility’s location. 

Incremental bowsing refers to the process in which the keyer enters the first or so letter of the 

state, territory, or facility, the system automatically presents the list of places beginning with that 

letter(s). The keyer then can more readily select the correct locale without typing in the rest of 

the word. For example, for birthplace, when the keyer enters the letter “C: the system would 

automatically go to where “Cambodia” is on the list. If the keyer enters the letters “Ch,” the 

system would automatically go to where “Chad” is on the list. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES
Items 15, 16, 17 

Page 5 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

COD 3 Numeric Appendix C 

DSTATE 2 Alphabetic Appendix D 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Item 18 

Page 1 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: METHOD OF DISPOSITION

Item Number: 18 

Description: Method of final disposition of the deceased 

(if known) 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Funeral Director

 

Response is based on wishes of the next of kin or informant. 

Check the appropriate box (see below). 

If the box labeled “Other” is chosen, print the method of disposition. 

 Burial 

 Cremation 

 Donation 

 Entombment 

 Removal from State 

 Other (Specify)_____________
Item 18 

Page 2 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Method of disposition is to be selected from the menu below. 

Method of Disposition 

 Burial 

 Cremation 

 Donation 

 Entombment 

 Removal from State 

 Other 

If the “other” response is selected, a place to enter the “other” method of disposition appears. 

Please describe the other type of disposition. 

Other (specify)________________________ 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

DISP Method of disposition B Burial 

 C Cremation 

 D Donation 

 E Entombment 

 R Removal from State 

O Other 

U Unknown 

DISPL Method of disposition alpha characters Literal entry for 

“other specify” response 

EDITS:

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

Electronic record must contain one of the responses indicated above. If not, query screen 

appears before record can be printed or filed. Same screen as entry screen appears and 
Item 18 

Page 3 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

indicates that one of the categories below must be selected before the record can be printed or 

filed. 

PAPER RECORD 

Records filed with this field blank are queried. If no response to query, assign the “Unknown” 

code. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Must be a valid code (see below). If multiple methods are reported, a single response should be 

selected for transmission to NCHS. Order of preference from most preferred to least is as 

follows: burial, cremation, donation, entombment, removal from State, other. 

 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

States may opt to electronically record the “Other (specify)” methods. This will be needed if 

certified copies are to be issued from the electronic file. It is recommended that this be a 15-

character field and each of the methods be stored as literals, then coded to “other” for 

transmission. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

DISP 1 Alpha character string B, C, D, E, R, O, U 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet.
Item 19, 20 

Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: PLACE OF DISPOSITION (NAME OF CEMETERY, 

CREMATORY, OTHER PLACE) 

LOCATION-CITY, TOWN AND STATE (Items are not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Numbers: 19, 20 

Description: The name of the place of disposition and the location of 

disposition. 

Source of Information: 

Preferred Source: Funeral service licensee or other agent 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Print or type the name of the cemetery, crematory or other place of 

disposition. 

Print or type the name of the city, town, or other location. 

Print or type the USA State or Territory. 

 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Data entry should be set up in the order identified below corresponding to items 

19 and 20 on the certificate. The name may be chosen from a drop down list or 

typed in. Once a name on the cemetery table is identified the rest of the fields 

should be auto filled. If the name is not on the cemetery table (an out of state 

cemetery/crematory or new cemetery/crematory) the items must be individually 

completed. The state may opt to update the table at this time as well for a new in 

state cemetery or crematory. Incremental browsing for the names of the city, 

town or location is allowed if the fields are not auto filled. 

1. Name: place of disposition____________________ 

2. Name: the city, town, or location:_____________ 

3. State, U.S. Territory:________________ 
Item 19, 20 

Page 2 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 

PROCESSING VARIABLES 

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES 

FFNAME Name place of disposition 50 Alpha character 

FFCITY City or town name 28 Alpha character 

FFSTATE State or U.S. Territory 28 Alpha character 

 

 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

For data collected on paper records, keying instructions need to reflect the detail of the electronic 

record. 

States may also opt to retain coded fields as well as the literal entries. If coded fields are 

maintained as well, ISO standards should be used. See the translation below. 

TRANSLATIONS 

Response Mapping (examples) if states elect to code this item 

Response Maps to values

 

State Name FIPS 5-2 two character codes (Appendix B) 

City/Town, Location Name FIPS 55-3 five digit place codes 

 (Appendix C) 

EDITS 

Fields may not be blank 
Item 21 

Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS OF FUNERAL 

FACILITY (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Number: 21 

Description: The name and complete address of the funeral facility. This is 

the facility that handled the disposition of the body 

Source of Information: 

Preferred Source: Funeral service licensee or other agent 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

This is the name and address of the funeral facility that handled the 

disposition of the decedent. 

Print or type the name of the facility, number of building, then the name of 

any pre-direction, then the street name, along with any post-directions, 

then the street designator. 

Examples of street designator are words like Street, Avenue, Road, Circle, 

Court etc. 

Print or type the name of the city, town, or other location. 

Print or type the USA State or Territory. 

 

Print or type the 5 digit Zip code or 9 digit Zip code if known. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Data entry should be set up in the order identified below corresponding to item 21 

on the certificate. Most of the item could be set up to auto fill once the name of 

the funeral home is known. Name of funeral home could be from a drop down list. 

When the funeral director is identified in the systems a list of homes in which he 

practices could be generated for the drop down list. In many cases this will be 
Item 21 

Page 2 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

just one home and it could also be auto filled, but many funeral directors 

although in one practice have several homes with different names. 

1. Name of funeral facility:_________________ 

2. Complete number and street name :__________________________

3. Name of the city, town, or location:_____________ 

4. State, U.S. Territory:________________ 

5. Zip Code _______________ 

PROCESSING VARIABLES:

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES

FFNAME Name of the funeral facility 5O Alpha character 

FFSTNAME Complete number and street name 70 Alpha character 

FFCITY City or Town name 28 Alpha character 

FFSTATE State, or U.S.Territory 28 Alpha character 

FFZIP Zip Code 9 Numeric character 

 

EDITS 

1. Check for valid zip code. 

2. Check for valid funeral facility name 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

For data collected on paper records, keying instructions need to reflect the detail of the electronic 

record. 

States may also opt to retain coded fields as well as the literal entries. If coded fields are 

maintained as well, ISO standards should be used. See the translation below. 

TRANSLATIONS 

Response Mapping (examples) if states elect to code this item 

Response Maps to values

 

State Name FIPS 5-2 two character codes (Appendix B) 

City/Town, Location Name FIPS 55-3 five digit place codes 

 (Appendix C) 
Item 23 

Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: LICENSE NUMBER (OF LICENSEE) (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Number: 23 

Description: Funeral Service or other agent license number 

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Funeral Service or Agent Licensee 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director or Agent 

 

Print or type your license number in the space provided (item 23). 

If not licensed, print or type (no license). 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

If an electronic signature is being captured for item 22 then this field can be auto-filled 

through a table look up. 

EDR Developer 

There should be a check box to indicate if this is a funeral service licensee or agent (with and 

without license). 

 Funeral Service Licensee 

 Agent with license 

 Agent without license 

If either of the first two boxes is checked, the entry screen should request the license number of 

the licensee. 

If the third box is checked, the field should be left blank. 

PROCESSING VARIABLE: 

NAMES DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES DEFINITION 
Item 23 

Page 2 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

AGENT Type of Agent 1 F Funeral Service Licensee 

 A Agent with License 

 N Agent without License 

FLIC License number of Funeral 12 alpha/numeric 

 Director or agent 

EDITS: 

PAPER RECORDS 

Depending on state laws and rules, records should be queried if license number (item 23) is 

blank. 

Licensee number must be a valid license number for type of agent. 

 ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

If variable AGENT has values F or A there must be a license number entered. Cannot submit 

without license number of the funeral service licensee or agent unless agent is not licensed. 

Licensee number must be a valid license number for type of agent. 
Items 24, 25 

Page 1 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: DATE PRONOUNCED DEAD 

 TIME PRONOUNCED DEAD 

 

Item Numbers: 24, 25

Descriptions: Month, day and year decedent was pronounced dead. 

 Hour and minute decedent was pronounced dead. 

Source of Information: 

 Preferred Source: Pronouncer 

 Other Acceptable Source: Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Pronouncer, Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner 

If the facility uses a separate pronouncer or other person to indicate that death has taken place 

with another person more familiar with the case completing the remainder of the medical portion 

of the death certificate, the pronouncer reports the pronounced date and time. In all other cases, 

the certifying physician, medical examiner, or coroner reports the date and time the person is 

pronounced dead. 

 

Print or type the month, day, and four-digit year of death. Please spell out the month. Numeric 

abbreviations are acceptable for the day and year. 

Print or type the hour and minute of death using a 24-hour clock. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

If the facility uses a separate pronouncer or other person to indicate that death has taken place 

with another person more familiar with the case completing the remainder of the medical portion 

of the death certificate, the pronouncer reports the pronounced date and time. In all other cases, 

the certifying physician, medical examiner, or coroner reports the date and time the person is 

pronounced dead. 

It is proposed that Date Pronounced Dead be a three-field entry with the month, day, and year 

entered in separate fields. There would be no drop down menu from which to select year, month 

or day, and no defaults. 
Items 24, 25 

Page 2 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Date Pronounced Dead 

Month pronounced dead _____________ 

When the month is to be entered, the following instruction should appear. 

Enter the FULL name of the month. 

Day pronounced dead______________ 

Year pronounced dead________________

It is proposed that the Time Pronounced Dead be a single-field entry. There would be no drop 

down menu to select hours and minutes. 

Hour and minute pronounced dead______________ 

When the hour is to be entered, the following prompt should appear: 

 Use a 24-hour clock. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES:

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

PD_YR Year pronounced dead 4-digit year must be less than or 

equal to system year. 

PD_MO Month pronounced dead January 

 February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

PD_DY Day pronounced dead 01-31 If January 

 01-29 If February 

 01-31 If March 

 01-30 If April 
Items 24, 25 

Page 3 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 01-31 If May 

 01-30 If June 

 01-31 If July 

 01-31 If August 

 01-30 If September 

 01-31 If October 

 01-30 If November 

 01-31 If December 

TD Time pronounced dead 0000-2359 

 (see edits) 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

**Please note: Pronouncement may occur well after the actual date and time of death but cannot 

occur before death. Edits will check that pronounced dates and times do not precede actual 

dates and times. 

Some facilities may use a 0001-2400 range in lieu of the 0000-2359 range. Based on the 

recommendation of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, it is strongly 

recommended that the 24-hour clock with the range of 0000-2359 be used. 0000 is the start of 

the new day. The recommended sequence is: 

2359 (11:59 pm) 

0000 (12 midnight) 

0001 (12:01 am) 

However, some facilities use the following sequence: 

2359 (11:59 pm) 

2400 (12 midnight) 

0001 (12:01 am). 

Date and time fields cannot be left blank. 

Misspellings will be automatically corrected. 

If month is February and day is 29, year should be a leap year. 

If edits fail for any of the above edits, all the date fields are displayed and the error identified. 

The pronouncer, certifying physician, medical examiner, or coroner must correct the error 

before the record can be filed or printed. In a paper document, try to correct the error. If no 

response is received for month or day, use 9’s for the unknown dates or time. 
Items 24, 25 

Page 4 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

For comparative purposes, a new field consisting of a combination of the three date fields should 

be formed to compare the actual or presumed Date of Death field (when completed) with the 

Date Pronounced Dead. Use the format YYYYMMDD. If the number for pronounced date is 

greater than or equal to the actual or presumed date, the edit passes. If not, the edit fails. If the 

numbers are equal, a similar comparison needs to be done for the Time Pronounced Dead and 

the actual or presumed Time of Death. If the time pronounced dead is greater (later) than or 

equal to the actual or presumed time of death, the edit passes. If not, the edit fails. 

If the pronouncer is different from the certifying physician, medical examiner, or coroner, 

provide a mechanism for feedback to the pronouncer. 

 

States need to edit year field to be sure it is the correct year for the file being submitted. 

States also need to edit the date fields to be sure they are earlier than or equal to the date the 

record was registered or filed. 

SAMPLE ERROR MESSAGE AND QUERY SCREEN

One of the date entries is incorrect or inconsistent with other date entries. Please review and 

make any necessary changes. 

Item Number Field Entry Comments 

29 Month September 

 Day 31 day is greater than 30 

29 Year 2003 

30 Time 1748 

24 Month September 

24 Day 30 

24 Year 2002 Pronounced dead prior to 

 actual death 

25 Time 1748 

 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

Although the paper document does not have separate fields for each element of the date or time, 

it is recommended that the date be entered and stored as three separate fields, and the time be 

entered and stored as a single separate field. States may choose to allow entry of numeric or 

alphabetic abbreviations for month instead of typing the entire literal. 

If states elect to use a database system that has an option of storing dates as “date type 

variables,” the system must meet the criteria listed under transmission. 

TRANSLATIONS: 
Items 24, 25 

Page 5 of 5 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If month is entered as a text entry, States will need to translate the written months into numeric 

values as follows: 

January 01 

 February 02 

 March 03 

 April 04 

 May 05 

 June 06 

 July 07 

 August 08 

 September 09 

 October 10 

 November 11 

 December 12 

Times of 2400 should be converted to 0000 at the State.

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

Data will not be transmitted to NCHS. 
Items 27 

Page 1 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: LICENSE NUMBER (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Number: 27 

Description: License number of person pronouncing death. 

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Person pronouncing death 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

This item can be left blank if the certifier of death is also the pronouncer of death. The box 

pronouncing and certifying physician should be checked in item 45. 

Print or type the license number of the person pronouncing death in the space provided (item 27). 

If not licensed, print or type (no license). 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

If an electronic signature is being captured for item 22 then this field can be auto-filled 

through a table look up.

EDR Developer 

There should be a check box to indicate if the person pronouncing death has a license number. 

 Licensed 

  No License 

EDR developers need to get a list of licensed professions that are allowed to pronounce death in 

the state and include these as a list of check boxes in order to validate the license number. These 

can be included as a drop down if the licensed box is checked. 

 Licensed Professions 

 profession 1 

 profession 2 

 etc. 
Items 27 

Page 2 of 2 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the first box is checked, the entry screen should request the license number of the licensee after 

the drop down list of licensees authorized to pronounce death is completed. 

If the second box is checked, the field should be left blank. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAMES DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES DEFINITION 

PLIC Pronouncer licensed 1 Y Licensed 

 N No License 

PPROF Pronouncer profession 1 or 2 (State Determined) 

PLICNUM License number 12 Alpha character 

 

EDITS: 

PAPER RECORDS 

Depending on state laws and rules, records should be queried if there is a signature in item 26 

and license number (item 27) is blank. 

Licensee number must be a valid number license number. 

 ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

If the response to item 45 indicates that the certifying physician is also the pronouncing 

physician, then the item should be blank. 

If variable PLIC has value “Y,” there must be a license number entered. 

Licensee number must be a valid number license number for type of profession. 

If variable PLIC has value “N,”, the license number field should be blank. Depending on state 

laws and rules the record may or may not be acceptable for filing when this occurs. 
Items 28 

Page 1 of 3 

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Item Title: DATE SIGNED (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

 

Item Number: 28 

Description: The date the death record is signed by the person that 

pronounces death 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: The person that pronounces death. 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

If the response to item 45 indicates that the certifying physician is the 

pronouncing physician, leave this item blank. 

 

Print or type the month, day, and four digit year the death record is signed by the person 

pronouncing death. Standard numeric abbreviations are NOT acceptable. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

If an electronic signature is being captured for item 26 then this field can be auto-filled 

With the date the signature is captured

EDR Developer (Instructions are in italics) 

If the response to item 45 indicates that the certifying physician is also the pronouncing 

physician, this item should be skipped and the fields left blank. 

The Date Signed item is a three-field entry with the month, day, and year entered in separate 

fields. 

Month signed ___ ___ 

Day signed___ ___ 

Year signed___ ___ ___ ___ 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES LENGTH DEFINITIONS 
Items 28 

Page 2 of 3 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

SIGN_YR Year signed 4 digit year 4 4 digit year 

 

SIGN_MO Month signed 01 2 January 

 02 February 

 03 March 

 04 April 

 05 May 

 06 June 

 07 July 

 08 August 

 09 September 

 10 October 

 11 November 

 12 December, 

SIGN_DAY Day signed 01-31 2 January 1-31 

 February 1-29 

 March 1-31 

 April 1-30 

 May 1-31 

 June 1-30 

 July 1-31 

 August 1-31 

 September 1-30 

 October 1-31 

 November 1-30 

 December 1-31 

 

 

EDITS: 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

Field may be blank only if the response to item 45 indicates that the certifying physician is also 

the pronouncing physician. 

If month is February and day = 29, Date Signed should be a leap year. If not, an error message 

should appear and ask that the date be corrected. 

Date Signed must be the same as or later than the Date Pronounced Dead (Item 24) and the 

same as or earlier than the Date Certified (Item 49) and Date Filed By Registrar (Item 50). 

Paper Records 
Items 28 

Page 3 of 3 

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For paper records, the same edits are applied. Edits failed after re-entry through the edit screens 

will result in a listing of items to be queried and the item will be given a pending query status. 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

While the paper document does not have separate fields for each element of the date, it is 

recommended that the date be entered and stored as three separate fields. 

If states elect to use a database system that has an option of storing dates as “date type 

variables,” then the system must meet the criteria listed under transmission standards. 

 
Item 29, 30 

Page 1 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: DATE OF DEATH 

TIME OF DEATH

Item Number: 29, 30 

Description: Actual or presumed Date of Death 

Actual or presumed Time of Death 

Source of Information: 

 Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Physician/Coroner 

 

Print or type the month, day, and four-digit year of death. Please spell out the month. Numeric 

abbreviations are acceptable for the day and year. 

Print or type the hour and minute of death using a 24-hour clock. 

If the exact date or time of death is unknown, enter the approximate date. Estimates may be 

provided with “Approx.” placed before the time. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

It is proposed that Date of Death be a four-field entry with the month, day, and year being 

entered in separate fields. As a state option, an additional field to indicate any modifiers to the 

date of death such as “presumed” would be completed prior to entering the date of death. There 

will be no menus for selecting the year, month, or day of death. 

List of possible modifiers for the actual or presumed date of death 

Please select the appropriate modifier for the date of death about to be entered. 

 Actual date of death 

 Approximate date of death 

 Presumed date of death 
Item 29, 30 

Page 2 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 Court determined date of death 

Month of death ________________ 

Day of death __________________ 

Year of death __________________

It is proposed that the Time of Death be a two-field entry with hour and minutes entered in one 

field and a modifier in the other field. 

States may also opt to have a list of modifiers for the time of death. 

List of modifiers for the actual or presumed time of death 

Please select the appropriate modifier for the time of death about to be entered. 

 Actual time of death 

 Approximate time of death 

 Presumed time of death 

 Court determined time of death 

 Unknown time of death 

If “Unknown” is selected, skip to the next item and leave the hour and minute field blank. 

Hour and minute of death (Use a 24-hour clock) __________ 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

If states opt to include one or both modifiers then variables and values would have to be 

assigned. 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

DOD_YR Year of death 4-digit year must be less than or 

equal to system year. 

DOD_MO Month of death January 

 February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 
Item 29, 30 

Page 3 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

October 

November 

December 

Unknown 

DOD_DY Day of death 01-31 If January 

 01-29 If February 

 01-31 If March 

 01-30 If April 

 01-31 If May 

 01-30 If June 

 01-31 If July 

 01-31 If August 

 01-30 If September 

 01-31 If October 

 01-30 If November 

01-31 If December 

99 Unknown 

TOD Time of death 0000-2359 

 9999 Unknown 

 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

Some facilities may use a 0001-2400 range in lieu of the 0000-2359 range. Based on the 

recommendation of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, it is strongly 

recommended that the 24-hour clock with the range of 0000-2359 be used. 0000 is the start of 

the new day. The recommended sequence is: 

2359 (11:59 pm) 

0000 (12 midnight) 

0001 (12:01 am) 

However, some facilities use the following sequence: 

2359 (11:59 pm) 

2400 (12 midnight) 

0001 (12:01 am). 

Entry Values

. Month January, February, March, April 

 May, June, July, August, September 
Item 29, 30 

Page 4 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 October, November, December 

 Day January 1-31 

 February 1-29 

 March 1-31 

 April 1-30 

 May 1-31 

 June 1-30 

 July 1-31 

 August 1-31 

 September 1-30 

 October 1-31 

 November 1-30 

 December 1-31 

Year Must be less than or equal to system year 

Time 0000-2400 

 9999 

If any of the edits fail, an error screen will appear that shows all the date and time information 

entered and a comment on invalid entries. These errors must be corrected before the record can 

be submitted or printed. 

The modifier field must be completed. If blank, an error screen shows the entry screen with a 

sentence that reads, “Please select one of these choices.” 

Misspellings will be automatically corrected. 

If month is February and day is 29, year must be a leap year. 

States need to edit the year field to be sure it is the correct year for the file being submitted. 

States also need to compare the Date of Death fields to be sure it is earlier or equal to the date 

the record was registered or filed. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS: 

While the paper document does not have separate fields for each element of the date and time, it 

is recommended that the date be entered and stored as four separate fields. States may choose to 

allow entry of numeric or alphabetic abbreviations for month instead of typing the entire literal. 

The fourth field is for the modifier described above. Similarly, the Time of Death would be kept 

in two fields; the second is for the modifier. If the state elects to include the modifiers, they are 
Item 29, 30 

Page 5 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

to be kept only at the State level for legal purposes and for the purpose of issuing certified copies 

from the electronic file. 

If States elect to use a database system that has an option of storing dates as “date type 

variables,” then the system must meet the criteria listed under transmission standards. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

DOD_YR 4 Numeric character string or “date type” 4 digit year 

DOD_MO 2 Numeric character string or “date type” 01-12, 99 

DOD_DY 2 Numeric character string or “date type” 0-31 (based on MO), 99 

TOD 4 Numeric character string or “date type” 0000-2359, 9999 

TRANSLATIONS: 

If month is entered as a text entry, States will need to translate the written months into numeric 

values as follows: 

January 01 

 February 02 

 March 03 

 April 04 

 May 05 

 June 06 

 July 07 

 August 08 

 September 09 

 October 10 

 November 11 

 December 12 

 Unknown 99 

States will also need to convert times of 2400 to 0000 before transmitting data to NCHS. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

 HL 7 Transmission standards will be followed. 
Item 29, 30 

Page 6 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Format ------ YYYY[MM[DD[HH[mm]]]] 

Year must be fully represented with four digits. 

Software that stores dates as “date type” must be year 2000 compliant and capable of producing 

the date in the YYYY..... format and capable of producing messages in the 

HL7 EDI format. 
Item 31 

Page 1 of 2 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 

Item Title: WAS MEDICAL EXAMINER OR 

CORONER CONTACTED? (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Number: 31

Description: Information on the referrals to medical examiner or 

coroner. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Certifying Physician

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Certifying Physician 

 

Check the appropriate box in item 31. 

 Was medical examiner or coroner contacted? 

 Yes 

 No 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Response for this item is made by selecting one of the choices from the menu list below. 

 Was medical examiner or coroner contacted? 

 Yes 

 No 
Item 31 

Page 2 of 2 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 Unknown 

Above this list of responses should be the State’s criteria for referral to the medical 

examiner or coroner. 

If “Yes” is checked, completion of the certificate may be terminated and the case may be 

referred to the ME or Coroner. 

The referral could be done electronically by the State system or there could be an instruction 

message for the Physician to call the ME or Coroner. When a ME or Coroner takes 

responsibility, Ownership of 1tems 36-39 is then transferred to the ME or Coroner. 

If “No” is checked, items 38-44 and then 46-49, will appear. 

If “Unknown” is checked, a message with information on whom to contact for advice or a 

determination should appear. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

REF Medical examiner/coroner contacted? Y Yes 

 N No 

 U Unknown 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

The electronic record must contain one of the valid responses indicated above. 

PAPER RECORD 

Records filed with this field blank are queried. If no response to query, assign the “Unknown” 

code. 

 
Item 32 

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Item Title: CAUSE OF DEATH 

Item Number: 32 

Description: Causes of death are diseases, abnormalities, injuries, or 

poisonings that contributed directly or indirectly to death. 

Source of Information: 

Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Physician/Medical Examiner/Coroner 

The cause-of-death section consists of two parts. Part I is for reporting a chain of events leading 

directly to death, with the immediate cause of death (the final disease, injury, or complication 

directly causing death) on line a and the underlying cause of death (the disease or injury that 

initiated the chain of events that led directly and inevitably to death) on the lowest used line. 

Part II is for reporting all other significant diseases, conditions, or injuries that contributed to 

death but which did not result in the underlying cause of death given in Part I. The cause-ofdeath information should be your best medical opinion. A condition can be listed as “probable” 

even if it has not been definitively diagnosed. 

It provides important personal information about the decedent and about the circumstances and 

cause of death. Information on cause of death is important to the family to bring closure, peaceof-mind, and to document the exact cause of death. Cause of death is also used for medical and 

epidemiological research on disease etiology and evaluating the effectiveness of diagnostic and 

therapeutic techniques. It is a measure of health status at local, state, national, and international 

levels. 

The medical examiner/coroner investigates deaths that are unexpected, unexplained, or if an 

injury or poisoning was involved. State laws provide guidelines for when a medical 

examiner/coroner must be notified. In the case of deaths known or suspected to have resulted 

from injury or poisoning, report the death to the medical examiner/coroner as required by State 

law. The medical examiner/coroner will either complete the cause-of-death section of the death 

certificate or waive that responsibility. If the medical examiner/coroner does not accept the case, 

then the certifier will need to complete the cause-of-death section. 

General instructions for completing cause of death 
Item 32 

Page 2 of 31 

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(For an expanded set of instructions, refer to the State vital statistics office, the tutorial at 

http://www.theNAME.org, handbooks and other resources at 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/handbk.htm, or NCHS, Room 7318, 3311 Toledo 

Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782). 

‚ Cause-of-death information should be your best medical opinion. 

‚ List only one condition per line in Part I. Additional lines may be added as needed. 

‚ Each condition in Part I should cause the condition above it. 

‚ Abbreviations and parentheses should be avoided in reporting causes of death. 

‚ Provide the best estimate of the interval between the presumed onset of each condition 

and death. 

‚ The original death certificate should be amended according to state policies if additional 

medical information or autopsy findings become available that would change the cause of 

death originally reported. 

‚ For deaths caused by injury or poisoning, complete only if the medical examiner or 

coroner instructs you to do so. 

‚ The terminal event (e.g., cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest) should not be used. You 

should report the causes of the terminal event (e.g., cardiac arrest due to coronary artery 

atherosclerosis or cardiac arrest due to blunt impact to chest). 

‚ If an organ system failure such as congestive heart failure, hepatic failure, renal failure, 

or respiratory failure is listed as a cause of death, always report its etiology on the line(s) 

beneath it (e.g., renal failure due to Type I diabetes mellitus). 

‚ When indicating neoplasms as a cause of death, include the following: 1) primary site or 

that the primary site is unknown, 2) benign or malignant, 3) cell type or that the cell type 

is unknown, 4) grade of neoplasm, and 5) part or lobe of organ affected (e.g., primary 

well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, lung, left upper lobe). 

‚ Always report the fatal injury (e.g., stab wound of chest), the trauma (e.g., transection of 

subclavian vein), and impairment of function (e.g., air embolism). 

‚ In Part II, report all diseases or conditions contributing to death that were not reported in 

the chain of events in Part I and that did not result in the underlying cause of death. 

‚ If two or more possible sequences resulted in death, or if two conditions seem to have 

added together, report in Part I the one that, in your opinion, most directly caused death. 

Report in Part II the other conditions or diseases. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

For an EDR, it will be necessary to have the physician enter the age and sex of the deceased. 

See instructions for items 2 and 4a but leaving out the full edits. These should be stored in 

temporary fields and used only for conducting initial edits and screens for the cause of death 

information. When the cause-of-death section of the electronic death certificate is opened or 

accessed, the first screen to appear should read as follows: 

A death certificate is a permanent record of the fact of death of an individual. It provides 

important personal information about the decedent and about the circumstances and cause 
Item 32 

Page 3 of 31 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

of death. Information on cause of death is important to the family to bring closure, peaceof-mind, and to document the exact cause of death. Cause of death is also used for medical 

and epidemiological research on disease etiology and evaluating the effectiveness of 

diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. It is a measure of health status at local, state, 

national, and international levels. 

Physician’s responsibility

The physician’s primary responsibility in completing the cause-of-death section is to report 

to the best of his or her knowledge, based upon available information, the causal chain that 

led to the death. The causal chain should begin with the cause that was closest to the time 

of death and work backwards to the initiating condition, which is called the underlying 

cause of death. For example, the physician might report a death for which staphylococcus 

pneumonia occurs closest to the time of death; however the physician also reports that the 

pneumonia is due to carcinoma metastatic to both lungs, which in turn, is due to poorly 

differentiated adenocarcinoma, unknown primary site. 

Medical examiner/coroner’s responsibility

The medical examiner/coroner investigates deaths that are unexpected, unexplained, or if 

an injury or poisoning was involved. State laws provide guidelines for when a medical 

examiner/coroner must be notified. In the case of deaths known or suspected to have 

resulted from injury or poisoning, report the death to the medical examiner/coroner as 

required by State law. The medical examiner/coroner will either complete the 

cause-of-death section of the death certificate or waive that responsibility. If the medical 

examiner/coroner does not accept the case, then the certifier will need to complete the 

cause-of-death section. 

General instructions for completing cause of death (For an expanded set of instructions, 

click on help) 

‚ Cause-of-death information should be your best medical opinion. 

‚ List only one condition per line in Part I. Additional lines may be added as needed. 

‚ Each condition in Part I should cause the condition above it. 

‚ Abbreviations and parentheses should be avoided in reporting causes of death. 

‚ Provide the best estimate of the interval between the presumed onset of each 

condition and death. 

‚ The original death certificate should be amended according to state policies if 

additional medical information or autopsy findings become available that would 

change the cause of death originally reported. 

‚ For deaths caused by injury or poisoning, complete only if the medical examiner or 

coroner instructs you to do so. 

‚ The terminal event (e.g., cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest) should not be used. 

You should report the causes of the terminal event (e.g., cardiac arrest due to 

coronary artery atherosclerosis or cardiac arrest due to blunt impact to chest). 
Item 32 

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‚ If an organ system failure such as congestive heart failure, hepatic failure, renal 

failure, or respiratory failure is listed as a cause of death, always report its etiology 

on the line(s) beneath it (e.g., renal failure due to Type I diabetes mellitus). 

‚ When indicating neoplasms as a cause of death, include the following: 1) primary 

site or that the primary site is unknown, 2) benign or malignant, 3) cell type or that 

the cell type is unknown, 4) grade of neoplasm, and 5) part or lobe of organ affected 

(e.g., primary well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, lung, left upper lobe). 

‚ Always report the fatal injury (e.g., stab wound of chest), the trauma (e.g., 

transection of subclavian vein), and impairment of function (e.g., air embolism). 

‚ In Part II, report all diseases or conditions contributing to death that were not 

reported in the chain of events in Part I and that did not result in the underlying 

cause of death. 

‚ If two or more possible sequences resulted in death, or if two conditions seem to 

have added together, report in Part I the one that, in your opinion, most directly 

caused death. Report in Part II the other conditions or diseases. 

‚ If you have never completed a death certificate or need a refresher, click on Help for 

additional assistance and examples of properly completed cause-of-death 

statements. 

On medical examiner (ME), coroner, and physician entry screens of the EDR, it is imperative 

that the physician viewing the screen be able to see, at minimum, the same prompts and 

formatting as those physicians using the paper version of the 2003 revision of the U.S. Standard 

Certificate of Death (as shown below). These medical certifiers need to be able to see that they 

will be completing both Parts I and II of the death certificate. The physicians completing cause 

of death must enter medical conditions using their own terminology (PICK LISTS FOR CAUSES 

ARE NOT ALLOWED). The EDR provides the opportunity to provide additional space and 

instructions; pick lists and other techniques may be used for fields other than cause of death. 

CAUSE OF DEATH (See instructions and examples)

32. PART I. Enter the chain of events - - diseases, injuries, or complications- - that directly caused the death. DO NOT enter terminal events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory 

 arrest, or ventricular fibrillation without showing the etiology. DO NOT ABBREVIATE.

Approximate Interval: 

Onset to death 

 

IMMEDIATE CAUSE (Final 

disease or condition 

resulting in death) - - - - - - - - - - - -> a. 

Sequentially list conditions, 

if any, leading to the cause listed on line 

a. Enter the UNDERLYING CAUSE 

(disease or injury 

that initiated the events 

resulting in death) LAST

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

b.

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

c.

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

d. 

PART II. Enter other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause given in PART I. 

 

 
Item 32 

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Each page should include a context sensitive progress bar (or mouse-over or some alternative 

pop-up) that provides an instruction or definition as the cursor moves from item to item. When 

the cursor moves to the cause-of-death boxes representing Part I of the standard certificate of 

death, the progress bar or other alternative should have a status message that says:

Provide a description of the sequence of causes resulting in death in these entry boxes, 

starting with the most recent condition. Click on Help for examples and assistance. 

When cursor is on the entry box representing information collected on Part II of the certificate of 

death, the status message on the progress bar should read: 

Report conditions that pre-existed or co-existed and contributed to death, but did not result 

in the cause reported in the lowest line used in Part I, as reported above. Click on Help for 

examples and assistance. 

When the cursor is on an entry box for the “approximate interval between onset and death,” the 

status message on the progress bar should read: 

Time interval between presumed onset of the condition and the date of death. Click on 

Help for additional information. 

INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE HELP FUNCTION 

The following shows the structure and content of the Help Section. When the user clicks on Help 

from an item, the Help screen that appears should show the section of Help that is relevant to 

that item as well as the index of the Help Section that would permit them to navigate elsewhere 
Item 32 

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within the Help. This will provide assistance for the item in question as well as letting them 

know that the additional topics are addressed in Help. 

[Certifier- Guidance on getting to help should be prominent on every screen; within the help 

section, the index should be prominent:] 

Index of Help Section: 

Introduction to completing a cause-of-death statement 

Examples of properly completed cause-of-death statements 

Detailed instructions 

Glossary of terms 

Possible solutions to common problems in death certification 

 Uncertainty 

 Elderly deaths 

 Infant deaths 

 Avoid ambiguity 

References 

Approximate interval between onset and death 

Introduction to completing a cause-of-death statement

A death certificate is a permanent record of an individual’s death. One purpose of the 

death certificate is to obtain a simple description of the sequence or process leading to 

death rather than a record describing all medical conditions present at death.

Causes of death on the death certificate represent a medical opinion that might vary among 

individual physicians. In signing the death certificate, the physician, medical examiner, or 

coroner certifies that, in his/her medical opinion, the individual died from the reported 

causes of death. The certifier’s opinion and confidence in that opinion are based upon 

his/her training, knowledge of medicine, available medical history, symptoms, diagnostic 

tests, and available autopsy results for the decedent. Even if extensive information is 
Item 32 

Page 7 of 31 

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available to the certifier, causes of death may be difficult to determine, so the certifier may 

indicate uncertainty by qualifying the causes on the death certificate. 

Cause-of-death data is important for surveillance, research, design of public health and 

medical interventions, and funding decisions for research and development. The death 

certificate is also a legal document used in settling estates. 

Examples of properly completed cause-of-death statements

The following are examples of properly completed death certificates: 

CAUSE OF DEATH (See instructions and examples)

32. PART I. Enter the chain of events - - diseases, injuries, or complications- - that directly caused the death. DO NOT enter terminal events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory 

 arrest, or ventricular fibrillation without showing the etiology. DO NOT ABBREVIATE.

Approximate Interval: 

Onset to death 

 

IMMEDIATE CAUSE (Final 

disease or condition 

resulting in death) - - - - - - - - - - - -> a. Rupture of myocardium Minutes 

Sequentially list conditions, 

if any, leading to the cause listed on line 

a. Enter the UNDERLYING CAUSE 

(disease or injury 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

b. Acute myocardial infarction 6 days 

that initiated the events 

resulting in death) LAST

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

c. Coronary artery thrombosis 5 years 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

d. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease 7 years 

33. WAS AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED? 

 g Yes 1 No 

PART II. Enter other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause given in PART I. 

 

Diabetes, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking 34. WERE AUTOPSY FINDINGS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE 

CAUSE OF DEATH? g Yes 1 No

35. DID TOBACCO USE CONTRIBUTE TO 

DEATH? 

 g Yes 1 Probably 

 1 No 1 Unknown

36. IF FEMALE 

 g Not pregnant within past year 

 1 Pregnant at time of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before death 

 1 Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

37. MANNER OF DEATH 

 g Natural 1 Homicide 

 1 Accident 1 Pending investigation 

 1 Suicide 1 Could not be determined 
Item 32 

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CAUSE OF DEATH (See instructions and examples)

32. PART I. Enter the chain of events - - diseases, injuries, or complications- - that directly caused the death. DO NOT enter terminal events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory 

 arrest, or ventricular fibrillation without showing the etiology. DO NOT ABBREVIATE.

Approximate Interval: 

Onset to death 

 

IMMEDIATE CAUSE (Final 

disease or condition 

resulting in death) - - - - - - - - - - - -> a. Acute renal failure 5 days 

Sequentially list conditions, 

if any, leading to the cause listed on line 

a. Enter the UNDERLYING CAUSE 

(disease or injury 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

b. Hyperosmolar nonketotic coma 8 days 

that initiated the events 

resulting in death) LAST

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

c. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 15 years 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

d. 33. WAS AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED? 

 g Yes 1 No 

PART II. Enter other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause given in PART I. 

 

Hypertension, Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease 34. WERE AUTOPSY FINDINGS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE 

CAUSE OF DEATH? 1 Yes g No

35. DID TOBACCO USE CONTRIBUTE TO 

DEATH? 

 1 Yes 1 Probably 

 g No 1 Unknown

36. IF FEMALE 

 1 Not pregnant within past year 

 1 Pregnant at time of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before death 

 1 Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

37. MANNER OF DEATH 

 g Natural 1 Homicide 

 1 Accident 1 Pending investigation 

 1 Suicide 1 Could not be determined 

CAUSE OF DEATH (See instructions and examples)

32. PART I. Enter the chain of events - - diseases, injuries, or complications- - that directly caused the death. DO NOT enter terminal events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory 

 arrest, or ventricular fibrillation without showing the etiology. DO NOT ABBREVIATE.

Approximate Interval: 

Onset to death 

 

IMMEDIATE CAUSE (Final 

disease or condition 

resulting in death) - - - - - - - - - - - -> a. Carbon monoxide poisoning Unknown 

Sequentially list conditions, 

if any, leading to the cause listed on line 

a. Enter the UNDERLYING CAUSE 

(disease or injury 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

b. Inhalation of automobile exhaust fumes Unknown 

that initiated the events 

resulting in death) LAST

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

c. 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

d. 33. WAS AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED? 

 g Yes 1 No 

PART II. Enter other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause given in PART I. 

 

Gastric adenocarcinoma 34. WERE AUTOPSY FINDINGS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE 

CAUSE OF DEATH? g Yes 1 No

35. DID TOBACCO USE CONTRIBUTE TO 

DEATH? 

 1 Yes 1 Probably 

 1 No g Unknown

36. IF FEMALE 

 1 Not pregnant within past year 

 1 Pregnant at time of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before death 

 1 Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

37. MANNER OF DEATH 

 1 Natural 1 Homicide 

 1 Accident 1 Pending investigation 

 g Suicide 1 Could not be determined 

38. DATE OF INJURY 

(Mo/Day/Yr) (Spell Month) 

August 15, 2003 

39. TIME OF INJURY 

Unknown 

40. PLACE OF INJURY (e.g., Decedent’s home; construction site; restaurant; wooded area) 

In own home- garage 

41. INJURY AT WORK? 

 

 1 Yes g No 

42. LOCATION OF INJURY: State: Missouri City or Town: Alexandria

Street & Number: 898 Sylvan Road Apartment No: Zip Code: 63141-2314 43. DESCRIBE HOW INJURY OCCURRED: 

Inhaled exhaust from automobile enclosed in garage 

44. IF TRANSPORTATION INJURY, 

SPECIFY: 

 1 Driver/Operator 

 1 Passenger 

 1 Pedestrian 

 1 Other (Specify): 
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CAUSE OF DEATH (See instructions and examples)

32. PART I. Enter the chain of events - - diseases, injuries, or complications- - that directly caused the death. DO NOT enter terminal events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory 

 arrest, or ventricular fibrillation without showing the etiology. DO NOT ABBREVIATE.

Approximate Interval: 

Onset to death 

 

IMMEDIATE CAUSE (Final 

disease or condition 

resulting in death) - - - - - - - - - - - -> a. Cardiac tamponade 15 minutes 

Sequentially list conditions, 

if any, leading to the cause listed on line 

a. Enter the UNDERLYING CAUSE 

(disease or injury 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

b. Perforation of heart 20 minutes 

that initiated the events 

resulting in death) LAST

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

c. Shotgun wound to thorax 20 minutes 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

d. 33. WAS AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED? 

 g Yes 1 No 

PART II. Enter other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause given in PART I. 

 

34. WERE AUTOPSY FINDINGS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE 

CAUSE OF DEATH? g Yes 1 No

35. DID TOBACCO USE CONTRIBUTE TO 

DEATH? 

 1 Yes 1 Probably 

 g No 1 Unknown

36. IF FEMALE 

 1 Not pregnant within past year 

 1 Pregnant at time of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before death 

 1 Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

37. MANNER OF DEATH 

 1 Natural g Homicide 

 1 Accident 1 Pending investigation 

 1 Suicide 1 Could not be determined 

38. DATE OF INJURY 

(Mo/Day/Yr) (Spell Month) 

August 20, 2003 

39. TIME OF INJURY 

Approx. 2100 

40. PLACE OF INJURY (e.g., Decedent’s home; construction site; restaurant; wooded area) 

Neighbor’s home 

41. INJURY AT WORK? 

 

 1 Yes g No 

42. LOCATION OF INJURY: State: Alabama City or Town: Columbus 

Street & Number: 3129 Discus Avenue Apartment No: Zip Code: 35487-0002 43. DESCRIBE HOW INJURY OCCURRED: 

Shot by another person using a shotgun 

44. IF TRANSPORTATION INJURY, 

SPECIFY: 

 1 Driver/Operator 

 1 Passenger 

 1 Pedestrian 

 1 Other (Specify): 
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CAUSE OF DEATH (See instructions and examples)

32. PART I. Enter the chain of events - - diseases, injuries, or complications- - that directly caused the death. DO NOT enter terminal events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory 

 arrest, or ventricular fibrillation without showing the etiology. DO NOT ABBREVIATE.

Approximate Interval: 

Onset to death 

 

IMMEDIATE CAUSE (Final 

disease or condition 

resulting in death) - - - - - - - - - - - -> a. Aspiration pneumonia 2 days 

Sequentially list conditions, 

if any, leading to the cause listed on line 

a. Enter the UNDERLYING CAUSE 

(disease or injury 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

b. Complications of coma 7 weeks 

that initiated the events 

resulting in death) LAST

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

c. Blunt force injuries 7 weeks 

 Due to (or as a consequence of): 

d. Motor vehicle accident 7 weeks 

33. WAS AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED? 

 g Yes 1 No 

PART II. Enter other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause given in PART I. 

 

34. WERE AUTOPSY FINDINGS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE 

CAUSE OF DEATH? g Yes 1 No

35. DID TOBACCO USE CONTRIBUTE TO 

DEATH? 

 1 Yes 1 Probably 

 g No 1 Unknown

36. IF FEMALE 

 1 Not pregnant within past year 

 1 Pregnant at time of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

 1 Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before death 

 1 Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

37. MANNER OF DEATH 

 1 Natural 1 Homicide 

 g Accident 1 Pending investigation 

 1 Suicide 1 Could not be determined 

38. DATE OF INJURY 

(Mo/Day/Yr) (Spell Month) 

December 13, 2003 

39. TIME OF INJURY 

Approx. 1700 

40. PLACE OF INJURY (e.g., Decedent’s home; construction site; restaurant; wooded area) 

road side near state highway 

41. INJURY AT WORK? 

 

 1 Yes g No 

42. LOCATION OF INJURY: State: California City or Town: Foggy 

Street & Number: mile marker 17 on state route 46A Apartment No: Zip Code: 

43. DESCRIBE HOW INJURY OCCURRED: 

Decedent driver of van, ran off road into tree 

44. IF TRANSPORTATION INJURY, 

SPECIFY: 

 g Driver/Operator 

 1 Passenger 

 1 Pedestrian 

 1 Other (Specify): 

 

Detailed instructions

‚ Cause-of-death information should be your best medical opinion. 

‚ List only one condition per line in Part I. Additional lines may be added if necessary. 

‚ Each condition in Part I should cause the condition above it. 

‚ Abbreviations and parentheses should be avoided in reporting causes of death. 

‚ Provide the best estimate of the interval between the presumed onset of each 

condition and death. The terms “approximately” or “unknown” may be used. Do not 

leave the interval blank; if unknown, indicate that it is unknown. 

‚ The original death certificate should be amended according to state policies by the 

certifying physician (if additional medical information or autopsy findings become 

available that would change the cause of death originally reported) by immediately 

reporting the revised cause of death to the State Vital Records Office. 

‚ Report each disease, abnormality, injury, or poisoning that you believe adversely 

affected the decedent. A condition can be listed as “probable” even if it has not been 

definitively diagnosed. 
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‚ A complete sequence should be reported in Part I that explains why the patient died. 

The sequence may be an etiological or pathological sequence as well as a sequence in 

which an earlier condition is believed to have prepared the way for a subsequent 

cause by damage to tissues or impairment of function. 

‚ No entry is necessary on lines (b), (c), and (d) if a single cause of death reported on 

line (a) describes completely the train of events resulting in death. 

‚ If two or more possible sequences resulted in death, report in Part I the one that, in 

your opinion, most directly caused death. Report in Part II the other conditions or 

diseases. 

‚ A specific cause of death should be reported in the last entry in Part I so there is no 

ambiguity about the etiology of this cause. 

‚ Conditions or diseases in Part II should contribute to death but not result in the last 

entry in Part I. 

‚ Mechanistic terminal events such as respiratory arrest, asystole, cardiac arrest, 

cardio-respiratory arrest, ventricular fibrillation, and electromechanical dissociation 

should not be the only condition included in the cause-of-death statement and are 

unlikely to be the underlying cause. 

‚ Always report an etiology for organ system failure such as congestive heart failure, 

hepatic failure, renal failure, or respiratory failure on the lines beneath it. 

‚ If, in your opinion, the use of alcohol, tobacco, other substance by the decedent, or a 

recent pregnancy or injury caused or contributed to death, then this condition should 

be reported. 

‚ A primary site and/or histological type should be specified for neoplasms or specify 

that site and type are unknown. 

‚ Deaths known or suspected as having been caused by injury or poisoning should be 

reported to the medical examiner or coroner, and you will only need to complete the 

death certificate if the medical examiner or coroner instructs you to do so. 

‚ For deaths resulting from injuries, always report the fatal injury event, the trauma, 

and the impairment of function. 

Glossary of terms

Causes of death: The causes of death to be entered on the medical certificate of cause of 

death are all those diseases, morbid conditions or injuries which either resulted in or 

contributed to death and the circumstances of the accident or violence which 

produced any such injuries. 

Underlying cause of death: the disease or injury that initiated the chain of morbid events 

that led directly to death. 
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Immediate cause of death: the disease, injury, or complication directly causing death. The 

interval between this condition and death is equal to or less than that between any 

other condition and death in Part I. 

Intermediate cause of death: a disease, injury, or complication that occurs between the onset 

of the underlying cause and the immediate cause of death in the sequence of 

conditions reported in Part I of the death certificate. 

Due to (or as a consequence of): apply to etiological or pathological sequences as well as to 

sequences in which an earlier condition is believed to have prepared the way for a 

subsequent cause by damage to tissues or impairment of function 

Possible solutions to common problems in death certification

Uncertainty: 

Often several acceptable ways of writing a cause-of-death statement exist. Optimally, a 

certifier will be able to provide a simple description of the process leading to death that is 

etiologically clear and to be confident that this is the correct sequence of causes. However, 

realistically, description of the process is sometimes difficult because the certifier is not 

certain. 

In this case, the certifier should think through the causes about which he/she is confident 

and what possible etiologies could have resulted in these conditions. The certifier should 

select the causes that are suspected to have been involved and use words such as “probable” 

or “presumed” to indicate that the description provided is not completely certain. If the 

initiating condition reported on the death certificate could have arisen from a pre-existing 

condition but the certifier cannot determine the etiology, he/she should state that the etiology 

is unknown, undetermined, or unspecified, so it is clear that the certifier did not have 

enough information to provide even a qualified etiology. Reporting a cause of death as 

unknown should be a last resort. 

Elderly deaths: 

When preparing a cause-of-death statement for an elderly decedent, the causes should 

present a clear and distinct etiological sequence, if possible. Causes of death on the death 

certificate should not include terms such as senescence, old age, infirmity, and advanced age 

because they have little value for public health or medical research. Age is recorded 

elsewhere on the death certificate. When malnutrition is involved, the certifier should 

consider if other medical conditions could have led to malnutrition. 

The death certificate and the classification of diseases are not designed to capture multiple 

organ/system failure. When a number of conditions or multiple organ/system failure 

resulted in death, the physician, medical examiner, or coroner should choose a single 
Item 32 

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sequence to describe the process leading to death and list the other conditions in Part II of 

the certification section. “Multiple system failure” could be included as an “other significant 

condition” but also specify the systems involved to ensure that the information is captured. 

In other instances, conditions listed in Part II of the death certificate may include causes that 

resulted from the underlying cause but which did not fit into the sequence resulting in death. 

If any potentially lethal medical conditions are known but cannot be cited as part of the 

sequence leading to death, they should be listed as other significant conditions. 

If the certifier cannot determine a descriptive sequence of causes of death despite carefully 

considering all information available, the medical examiner or coroner should be consulted 

about conducting an investigation or providing assistance in completing the medical 

certification. 

Infant deaths: 

When preparing a cause-of-death statement for an infant death, the causes should present a 

clear and distinct etiological sequence, if possible. Causes of death on the death certificate 

should not include terms such as prematurity without explaining the etiology because they 

have little value for public health or medical research. 

When a number of conditions or multiple organ/system failure resulted in death, the 

physician, medical examiner, or coroner should choose a single sequence to describe the 

process leading to death and list the other conditions in Part II of the certification section. 

“Multiple system failure” could be included as an “other significant condition” but also 

specify the systems involved to ensure that the information is captured. Maternal conditions 

may have initiated or affected the sequence that resulted in an infant death. These maternal 

conditions should be reported in the cause-of-death statement in addition to the infant 

causes (e.g., Hyaline membrane disease due to prematurity, 28 weeks due to placental 

abruption due to blunt trauma to mother’s abdomen). 

When SIDS is suspected, a complete investigation should be conducted, typically by a 

medical examiner or coroner. If the infant is under 1 year of age, no cause of death is 

determined after scene investigation, clinical history is reviewed, and a complete autopsy is 

performed, then the death can be reported as Sudden infant death syndrome. 

Avoid ambiguity: 

Most certifiers will find themselves, at some point, in the circumstance in which they are 

unable to provide a simple description of the process of death. In this situation, the certifier 

should try to provide a clear sequence, qualify the causes about which he/she is uncertain, 

and be able to explain the certification chosen. 

When conditions such as the following are reported, information about the etiology should 

be reported if possible: 
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Abscess 

Abdominal hemorrhage

Acute myocardial infarction 

Adhesions 

Adult respiratory distress syndrome 

Altered mental status 

Anemia 

Anoxia 

Anoxic encephalopathy 

Arrhythmia 

Ascites 

Aspiration 

Atrial fibrillation 

Bacteremia 

Bedridden 

Biliary obstruction 

Bowel obstruction 

Brain injury 

Brain stem herniation 

Carcinogenesis 

Carcinomatosis 

Cardiac arrest 

Cardiac dysrhythmia 

Cardiomyopathy 

Cardiopulmonary arrest 

Cellulitis 

Cerebrovascular accident 

Cerebellar tonsillar herniation 

Cerebral edema 

Chronic bedridden state 

Cirrhosis 

Coagulopathy 

Compression fracture 

Congestive heart failure 

Convulsions 

Decubiti 

Dehydration 

Dementia (when not otherwise 

 specified) 

Diarrhea 

Disseminated intravascular 

 coagulopathy 

Dysrhythmia 

End-stage liver disease 

End-stage renal disease 

Epidural hematoma 

Exsanguination 

Failure to thrive 

Fracture 

Gangrene 

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage 

Heart failure 

Hemothorax 

Hepatic failure 

Hepatorenal syndrome 

Hyperglycemia 

Hyperkalemia 

Hyponatremia 

Hypotension 

Hypovolemic shock 

Immunosuppression 

Increased intracranial pressure 

Intracranial hemorrhage 

Malnutrition 

Metabolic encephalopathy 

Multi-organ failure 

Multi-system organ failure 

Myocardial infarction 

Necrotizing soft-tissue infection 

Open (or closed) head injury 

Pancytopenia 

Perforated gallbladder 

Peritonitis 

Pleural effusions 

Pneumonia 

Pulmonary arrest 

Pulmonary edema 

Pulmonary embolism 

Pulmonary insufficiency 

Renal failure 

Respiratory arrest 

Seizures 

Sepsis 

Septic shock 

Shock 

Starvation 

Subdural hematoma 

Sudden death 

Subarachnoid hemorrhage 

Thrombocytopenia 

Uncal herniation 

Urinary tract infection 

Ventricular fibrillation 

Ventricular tachycardia 

Volume depletion 
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If the certifier is unable to determine the etiology of a process such as those shown above, the 

process must be qualified as being of an unknown, undetermined, probable, presumed, or 

unspecified etiology so it is clear that a distinct etiology was not inadvertently or carelessly 

omitted. 

The following conditions and types of death might seem to be specific but when the medical 

history is examined further, the conditions may be found to be complications of an injury or 

poisoning (possibly occurring long ago): 

Asphyxia 

Bolus 

Choking 

Drug or alcohol overdose/drug or 

 alcohol abuse 

Epidural hematoma 

Exsanguination 

Fall 

Fracture 

Hip fracture 

Hyperthermia 

Hypothermia 

Hip fracture 

Open reduction of fracture 

Pulmonary emboli 

Seizure disorder 

Sepsis 

Subarachnoid hemorrhage 

Subdural hematoma 

Thermal burns/chemical burns 

Is it possible that the underlying cause of death was the result of an injury or poisoning? If 

it might be, check with the medical examiner/coroner to find out if the death should be 

reported to him/her. 

When indicating neoplasms as a cause of death indicate the following: 1) primary site or that 

the primary site is unknown, 2) benign or malignant, 3) cell type or that the cell type is 

unknown, 4) grade of a neoplasm, and 5) part or lobe of an organ affected. For example, a 

well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, lung, left upper lobe. 

References

For detailed information on how to complete the medical certification section of the death 

certificate, you may refer to: 
Item 32 

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‚ The Medical Cause of Death Manual edited by Randy Hanzlick: can be ordered from 

the College of American Pathologists (800-323-4040 ext. 7531 for information and 

credit card orders). The product code number is B260. 

‚ Cause-of-Death Statements and Certification of Natural and Unnatural Deaths edited 

by Randy Hanzlick: can be ordered from the College of American Pathologists (800-

323-4040 ext. 7531 for information and credit card orders). The product code 

number is BK7261. 

‚ Tutorial information available at http://www.TheNAME.org 

(Poorly written cause-of-death statement at 

http://www.thename.org/CauseDeath/screen2.htm)

‚ State resources. 

‚ NCHS’ Medical Examiners’ and Coroners’ Handbook on Death Registration and 

Fetal Death Reporting (available from NCHS or at 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/misc/hb_me.pdf

‚ NCHS’ Physicians’ Handbook on Medical Certification of Death (available from 

NCHS or at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/misc/hb_cod.pdf

‚ Laminated cards (available from NCHS or at 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/handbk.htm). 

Approximate interval between onset and death

Record the interval between the presumed onset of the condition (not the diagnosis of the 

condition) and the date of death. This should be entered for all conditions in Part I. These 

intervals usually are established by the physician on the basis of available information. In 

some cases the interval will have to be estimated. If the time of onset is entirely unknown, 

state that the interval is “Unknown.” Do not leave these items blank. 

This information is useful in coding certain diseases and also provides a useful check on the 

accuracy of the reported sequence of conditions. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITIONS

CODIa Info reported on line a, part I Literal 

CODIb Info reported on line b, part I Literal 

CODIc Info reported on line c, part I Literal 
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CODId Info reported on line d, part I Literal 

CODII Info reported in part II Literal 

INTIa Duration line a, part I Literal 

INTIb Duration line b, part I Literal 

INTIc Duration line c, part I Literal 

INTId Duration line d, part I Literal 

The cause information will be put through the automated software for processing cause-of-death 

data. Information on the input file for SuperMICAR, MICAR100, and TRANSAX will be 

forthcoming. 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

The electronic death certificate can be made more useful by providing some more immediate edit 

checks based on literal entries. Below are some specifications. 

1) Unacceptable causes. An edit that flags the following as unacceptable causes if they are the 

only cause reported or are reported on the lowest line of the certification: respiratory arrest, 

RAR, resp arrest, asystole, cardiac arrest, CAR, cardio-respiratory arrest, cardiac pul arrest, 

cardiac pulmonary arrest, cardiopulmonary arrest, CPAR, ventricular fibrillation, VF, electrical 

mechanical dissociation, EMD, and electromechanical dissociation. 

The edit message should be: Mechanistic terminal events such as the last entry preferably 

should not be either the only cause or underlying cause in a cause-of-death statement. 

Please enter the medical conditions that led to this terminal event. 

2) Spellcheck. Include an automatic spelling checker (see Appendix K for words that can be 

included in a spelling dictionary) 
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3) Abbreviations and parentheses. If there is an abbreviation or parentheses in the cause-ofdeath statement, provide a message that neither is good practice and please specify what is meant. 

It would be desirable to customize abbreviations so that the computer would ask if the certifier 

meant x,y, or specify. Providing possible terms using the same abbreviations would a) illustrate 

why using abbreviations is confusing and b) lessen the work the certifier needs to do to correct the 

entry. The abbreviations, shown below, are from NCHS Instruction Manual Part 2b, Instructions 

for Classifying Multiple Causes of Death, 2000 (see 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/im.htm and latest manual). Abbreviations should not be 

automatically replaced. 

The edit message should be: Please do not use abbreviations to report cause of death. We think 

that the full term for (e.g., AAA) is (e.g., abdominal aortic aneurysm)? Indicate which term is 

correct if multiple meanings are possible, or specify what you meant by the abbreviation if we 

have not suggested the correct full term. Thank you.

AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm 

AAS aortic arch syndrome 

AAT alpha-antitrypsin 

AAV AIDS-associated virus 

AB abortion; asthmatic 

 bronchitis 

ABD abdomen 

ABE acute bacterial endocarditis 

ABS acute brain syndrome 

ACA adenocarcinoma 

ACD arteriosclerotic coronary 

 disease; absolute 

 cardiac dullness 

ACH adrenal cortical hormone 

ACT acute coronary thrombosis 

ACTH adrenocorticotrophic 

 hormone 

ACVD arteriosclerotic 

 cardiovascular disease 

AD auris dextra (right ear); 

 addiction, drug; adenoidal 

 degeneration; atrio dextro 

 (rt. atrium) 

ADEM acute disseminated 

 encephalomyelitis 

ADH antidiuretic hormone 

ADS antibody deficiency 

 syndrome 

AEG air encephalogram 

AF auricular or atrial 

 fibrillation; acid fast 

AFB acid-fast bacillus 

AFI amaurotic familial idiocy 

AGG agammaglobulinemia 

AGL acute granulocytic leukemia 

AGN acute glomerulonephritis 

AGS adrenogenital syndrome 

AHA acquired hemolytic anemia; 

 autoimmune hemolytic 

anemia 

AHD arteriosclerotic heart disease 

AHHD arteriosclerotic 

 hypertensive heart disease 

AHG anti-hemophilic globulin 

 deficiency 

AHLE acute hemorrhagic 

leukoencephalitis 

AI aortic insufficiency; 

 additional information 

AIDS acquired immunodeficiency 

syndrome 

AKA above knee amputation 

ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia 

ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 

AMI acute myocardial infarction 

AML acute myelocytic leukemia 

ANS arteriolonephrosclerosis 

AOD arterial occlusive disease 

AODM adult onset diabetes 

 mellitus 

AOM acute otitis media 

AP angina pectoris; anterior 

 and posterior repair; 

 artificial pneumothorax; 

 anterior pituitary 

A&P anterior and posterior repair 

APC auricular premature 

 contraction; Acetylsalicylic 

 acid, Acetophenetidin, and 

 caffeine 

APE acute pulmonary edema; 

 anterior pituitary extract 

APH antepartum hemorrhage 

AR aortic regurgitation 
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ARC AIDS-related complex 

ARF acute respiratory failure 

ARM artificial rupture of 

 membranes 

ARV AIDS-related virus 

AS arteriosclerotic; 

 arteriosclerosis; 

 aortic stenosis; auris 

 sinestra (left ear) 

ASA acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) 

ASAD arteriosclerotic artery 

 disease 

ASCD arteriosclerotic coronary 

 disease 

ASCHD arteriosclerotic coronary 

 heart disease 

ASCVA arteriosclerotic 

 cerebrovascular accident 

ASCVD arteriosclerotic 

 cardiovascular disease 

ASCVHD arteriosclerotic 

 cardiovascular heart 

 disease 

ASCVRD arteriosclerotic 

 cardiovascular renal 

 disease 

ASD atrial septal defect 

ASDHD arteriosclerotic 

 decompensated heart 

 disease 

ASHCVD arteriosclerotic 

 hypertensive 

 cardiovascular disease 

ASHD arteriosclerotic heart 

 disease; atrioseptal heart 

 defect 

ASHHD arteriosclerotic 

 hypertensive heart disease 

ASHVD arteriosclerotic 

 hypertensive vascular 

 disease 

ASO arteriosclerosis obilterans 

ASPVD arteriosclerotic peripheral 

 vascular disease 

ASVD arteriosclerotic vascular 

 disease 

ASVH(D) arteriosclerotic vascular 

 heart disease 

ATC all-terrain cycle 

ATN acute tubular necrosis 

ATS anxiety tension state; 

 anti-tetanus serum; 

 arteriosclerosis 

ATSHD arteriosclerotic heart 

 disease 

ATV all-terrain vehicle 

AU aures unitas (both ears) 

AUL acute undifferentiated 

 leukemia 

AV arteriovenous; 

 auriculoventricular; aortic 

 valve 

AVF arterio-ventricular fibrillation; 

 arteriovenous fistula 

AVH acute viral hepatitis 

AVP aortic valve prosthesis 

AVR aortic valve replacement 

AWMI anterior wall myocardial 

 infarction 

AZT azidothymidine 

BA basilar arteriogram; bronchial 

 asthma; basilar artery 

B&B bronchoscopy and biopsy 

BBB bundle branch block 

B&C biopsy and cauterization 

BCE basal cell epithelioma 

BE barium enema 

BEH benign essential hypertension 

BGL Bartholin's gland 

BKA below knee amputation 

BL bladder; bucolingual; blood loss; 

 Burkitt’s lymphoma 

BMR basal metabolism rate 

BNA Bladder neck adhesions 

BNO bladder neck obstruction 

BOMSA bilateral otitis media serous 

 acute 

BOMSC bilateral otitis media 

 serous chronic 

BOW "bag of water" (membrane) 

B/P, BP blood pressure 

BPH benign prostate hypertrophy 

BSA body surface area 

BSO bilateral 

 salpingo-oophorectomy 

BSP Bromosulfaphthalein test 

BTL bilateral tubal ligation 

BUN blood, urea, and nitrogen test 

BVL bilateral vas ligation 

B&W Baldy-Webster suspension 

 (uterine) 

BX biopsy 

BX CX biopsy cervix 

_ 

c with 

Ca cancer 

CA cancer; carotid arteriogram; 

 cardiac arrest 

CAD coronary artery disease 

CAG chronic atrophic gastritis 

CAO coronary artery occlusion; 

 chronic airway obstruction 

CAS cerebral arteriosclerosis 

CASCVD chronic arteriosclerotic 

 cardio-vascular disease 

CB chronic bronchitis 

CBC complete blood count 

CBD common bile duct 

CBS chronic brain syndrome 

CCF chronic congestive failure 

CCI chronic cardiac or coronary 

 insufficiency 

CDE common duct exploration 

CDH congenital dislocation hip 

CF congestive failure; 

 compliment fixation test; 

 cystic fibrosis; Christmas 

 factor (plasma 

 thromboplastin component) 

CFT chronic follicular tonsillitis 

CGN chronic glomerulonephritis 

CHA congenital hypoplastic 

 anemia 

CHB complete heart block 

CHD congestive heart disease; 

 coronary heart disease; 

 Chediak-Higaski Disease; 

 congenital heart disease 

CHF congestive heart failure 

C2H5OH ethyl alcohol 

CI cardiac insufficiency; 

 cerebral infarction 

CID cytomegalic inclusion 

 disease 

CIS carcinoma in situ 

CLD chronic lung disease; 

 chronic liver disease 

CLL chronic lymphatic 

 leukemia; chronic 

 lymphocytic leukemia 

CMID cytomegalic inclusion 

 disease 

CML chronic myelocytic leukemia 

CMM cutaneous malignant 

 melanoma 

CMV cytomegalic virus 

CNHD congenital nonspherocytic 

 hemolytic disease 

CNS central nervous system 

CO carbon monoxide 

COAD chronic obstructive airway 

 disease 

CO2 carbon dioxide 

COBE chronic obstructive bullous 

 emphysema 

COBS chronic organic brain 

 syndrome 

COFS cerebro-oculo-facio-skeletal 

COOMBS test for Rh sensitivity 

COLD chronic obstructive lung 

 disease 
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COPD chronic obstructive 

 pulmonary disease 

COPE chronic obstructive 

 pulmonary emphysema 

CP cerebral palsy; cor pulmonale 

C&P cystoscopy and pyelography 

CPB cardiopulmonary bypass 

CPC chronic passive congestion 

CPD cephalopelvic disproportion; 

 contagious pustular dermatitis 

CPE chronic pulmonary 

 emphysema 

CRD chronic renal disease 

CRF cardiorespiratory failure; 

 chronic renal failure 

CRST calcinosis cutis, Raynaud's 

 phenomenon, sclerodactyly, 

 and telangiectasis 

CS coronary sclerosis; cesarean 

 section; cerebro-spinal 

CSF cerebral spinal fluid 

CSH chronic subdural hematoma 

CSM cerebrospinal meningitis 

CT cerebral thrombosis; coronary 

 thrombosis 

CTD congenital thymic dysplasia 

CU cause unknown 

CUC chronic ulcerative colitis 

CUP cystoscopy, urogram, 

 pyelogram (retro) 

CUR cystocele, urethrocele, 

 rectocele 

CV cardiovascular; 

 cerebrovascular 

CVA cerebral vascular accident 

CV Accident cerebral vascular 

 accident 

CVD cardiovascular disease 

CVHD cardiovascular heart disease 

CVI cardiovascular insufficiency; 

 cerebral vascular 

 insufficiency 

CVRD cardiovascular renal disease 

CWP coal worker's 

 pneumoconiosis 

CX cervix 

DA degenerative arthritis 

DBI Phenformin hydrochloride 

D&C dilation and curettage 

DCR dacrocystorhinostomy 

D&D drilling and drainage; 

 debridement and dressing 

D&E dilation and evacuation 

DFU dead fetus in utero 

DIC disseminated intravascular 

 coagulation 

DILD diffuse infiltrative lung 

 disease 

DIP distal interphalangeal joint; 

 desquamative interstitial 

 pneumonia 

DJD degenerative joint disease 

DM diabetes mellitus 

DMT dimethyltriptamine 

DOA dead on arrival 

DOPS diffuse obstructive 

 pulmonary syndrome 

DPT diphtheria, pertussis, 

 tetanus vaccine 

DR diabetic retinopathy 

DS Down's syndrome 

DT due to; delirium tremens 

D/T delirium tremens; due to 

DU diagnosis unknown; 

 duodenal ulcer 

DUB dysfunctional uterine 

 bleeding 

DUI driving under influence 

DVT deep vein thrombosis 

DWI driving while intoxicated 

DX dislocation; diagnosis; 

 disease 

EBV Epstein-Barr virus 

ECCE extracapsular cataract 

 extraction 

ECG electrocardiogram 

ECT electric convulsive therapy 

EDC expected date of 

 confinement 

EEE Eastern equine encephalitis 

EEG electroencephalogram 

EFE endocardial fibroelastosis 

EGL eosinophilic granuloma of 

 lung 

EH enlarged heart; essential 

 hypertension 

EIOA excessive intake of alcohol 

EKC epidemic 

 keratoconjunctivitis 

EKG electrocardiogram 

EKP epikeratoprosthesis 

ELF elective low forceps 

EMC encephalomyocarditis 

EMD electromechanical 

 dissociation 

EMF endomyocardial fibrosis 

EMG electromyogram 

EN erythema nodosum 

ENT ear, nose, and throat 

EP ectopic pregnancy 

ER emergency room 

ERS evacuation of retained 

 secundines 

EST electric shock therapy 

ETOH alcohol 

EUA exam under anesthesia 

EWB estrogen withdrawal 

 bleeding 

FB foreign body 

FBS fasting blood sugar 

Fe symbol for iron 

FGD fatal granulomatous disease 

FHS fetal heart sounds 

FHT fetal heart tone 

FLSA follicular lymphosarcoma 

FME full-mouth extraction 

FS frozen section; fracture site 

FT full term 

FTA fluorescent Treponemal 

 antibody test 

5FU Fluorouracil 

FUB functional uterine bleeding 

FULG fulguration 

FUO fever unknown origin 

FX fracture 

FYI for your information 

GAS generalized arteriosclerosis 

GB gallbladder; Guillain-Barre 

 syndrome 

GC gonococcus; gonorrhea; 

 general circulation (systemic) 

GI gastrointestinal 

GIT gastrointestinal tract 

GOK God only knows 

GSW gunshot wound 

GTT glucose tolerance test 

gtt drop 

GU genitourinary; gastric ulcer 

GVHR graft versus host reaction 

GYN gynecology 

HA headache 

HAA hepatitis associated antigen 

HASCVR hypertensive 

 arteriosclerotic 

 cardiovascular renal 

 disease 

HASVD hypertensive 

 arteriosclerotic vascular 

 disease 

HB hemoglobin; heart block 

HBP high blood pressure 

HC Huntington's chorea 

HCT hematocrit 

HCVD hypertensive cardiovascular 

disease 

HCVRD hypertensive cardiovascular 

 renal disease 

HD Hodgkin's disease; heart 

 disease 

HDN hemolytic disease of newborn 

HDS herniated disc syndrome 

HF heart failure; hayfever 

HGB;Hgb hemoglobin 

HHD hypertensive heart disease 
Item 32 

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HIV human immunodeficiency 

 virus 

HMD hyaline membrane disease 

HN2 Nitrogen Mustard 

HNP herniated nucleus pulposus 

H/O history of 

HPN hypertension 

HPVD hypertensive pulmonary 

 vascular disease 

HRE high-resolution 

 electro-cardiology 

HS herpes simplex; Hurler's 

 syndrome 

HTLV-III/LAV human T-cell 

 lymphotropic 

 virus-III/ 

 lymphadenopathy- 

 associated virus 

HTLV-3 human T-cell 

 lymphotropic virus-III 

HTLV-III human T-cell 

 lymphotropic virus -III 

HVD hypertensive vascular 

 disease 

Hx history of 

IADH inappropriate antidiuretic 

 hormone 

IASD interatrial septal defect 

ICCE intracapsular cataract 

 extraction 

ICD intrauterine contraceptive 

 device 

I&D infectious disease; incision 

 and drainage 

IDA iron deficiency anemia 

IDDM type 1 diabetes 

IH infectious hepatitis 

IHD ischemic heart disease 

IHSS idiopathic hypertrophic 

 subaortic stenosis 

ILD ischemic leg disease 

IM intramuscular; 

 intramedullary; infectious 

 mononucleosis 

IMPP intermittent positive pressure 

INAD infantile neuroaxonal 

 dystrophy 

INC incomplete 

INE infantile necrotizing 

 encephalomylopathy 

INF infection; infected; infantile; 

infarction 

INH Isoniazid; inhalation 

INS idiopathic nephrotic 

 syndrome 

IO intestinal obstruction 

IOH idiopathic orthostatic 

 hypotension 

IPD inflammatory pelvic disease 

IPP intermittent positive pressure 

IRDS idiopathic respiratory distress 

 syndrome 

IRHD inactive rheumatic heart 

 disease 

ISD interatrial septal defect 

ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenic 

 purpura 

IU intrauterine 

IUCD intrauterine contraceptive 

 device 

IUD intrauterine device 

 (contraceptive); intrauterine 

 death 

IUP intrauterine pregnancy 

IVC intravenous cholangiography; 

 inferior vena cava 

IVCC intravascular consumption 

 coagulopathy 

IVD intervertebral disc 

IVH intraventricular hemorrhage 

IVP intravenous pyelogram 

IVSD intraventricular septal defect 

IVU intravenous urethrography 

IWMI inferior wall myocardial 

 infarction 

JBE Japanese B encephalitis 

KFS Klippel-Feil syndrome 

KS Klinefelter's syndrome 

KUB kidney, ureter, bladder 

K-W Kimmelstiel-Wilson disease 

 or syndrome 

LAP laparotomy 

LAV lymphadenopathy-associated 

 virus 

LAV/ lymphadenopathy- 

 associated 

HTLV-III virus/Human T-cell 

 lymphotrophic virus-III 

LBBB left bundle branch block 

LBNA lysis bladder neck 

 adhesions 

LBW low birth weight 

LBWI low birth weight infant 

LCA left coronary artery 

LDH lactic dehydrogenase 

LE lupus erythematosus; lower 

 extremity; left eye 

LKS liver, kidney, spleen 

LLL left lower lobe 

LMA left mentoanterior (position 

 of fetus) 

LMCAT left middle cerebral artery 

 thrombosis 

LML left mesiolateral; left 

 mediolateral (episiotomy) 

LMP last menstrual period; left 

 mento-posterior (position of 

 fetus) 

LN lupus nephritis 

LOA left occipitoanterior 

LOMCS left otitis media chronic 

 serous 

LP lumbar puncture 

LRI lower respiratory infection 

LS lumbosacral;lymphosarcoma 

LSD lysergic acid diethylamide 

LSK liver, spleen, kidney 

LSO left salpingo-oophorectomy 

LTB laryngotracheobronchitis 

LUL left upper lobe 

LVF left ventricular failure 

LVH left ventricular hypertrophy 

MBD minimal brain damage 

MD muscular dystrophy; manic 

 depressive; myocardial 

 damage 

MDA methylene 

 dioxyamphetamine 

MEA multiple endocrine 

 adenomatosis 

MF myocardial failure; 

 myocardial fibrosis; mycosis 

 fungoides 

MGN membranous 

 Glomerulonephritis 

MHN massive hepatic necrosis 

MI myocardial infarction; mitral 

 insufficiency 

MID multi-infarct dementia 

MLC myelomonocytic leukemia, 

 chronic 

MM malignant melanoma; 

 multiple myeloma 

MMOA mandible, maxillary, 

 odontectomy, 

 alveolectomy 

MOD mode of death; moment of 

 death 

MPC meperidine, promethazine, 

 chlorpromazine 

MS multiple sclerosis; mitral 

stenosis 

MT malignant teratoma 

MUA myelogram 

MVR mitral valve regurgitation 

NACD no anatomical cause of 

 death 

NCA neurocirculatory asthenia 

NDI nephrogenic diabetes 

 insipidus 

NFI no further information 

NFTD normal full-term delivery 

NH3 symbol for ammonia 
Item 32 

Page 22 of 31 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

NIDDM type 2 diabetes 

NMI no more information 

NPD Niemann-Pick disease 

NSD normal spontaneous 

 delivery; nonsurgical 

 delivery 

NSR normal sinus rhythm; nasal 

 submucous resection 

NTG nontoxic goiter 

NTN nephrotoxic nephritis 

N&V nausea and vomiting 

NVD nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 

OA osteoarthritis 

OAD obstructive airway disease 

OB obstetrical 

OBS organic brain syndrome 

OBST obstetrical 

OD oculus dexter (right eye); 

overdose; occupational 

 disease 

OHD organic heart disease 

OM otitis media 

OMI old myocardial infarction 

OMS organic mental syndrome 

ORIF open reduction, internal 

 fixation 

OS oculus sinister (left eye); 

 occipitosacral (fetal 

 position) 

OT occupational therapy; old 

 TB 

OU oculus uterque (each eye); 

 both eyes 

PA pericious anemia; paralysis 

 agitans; pulmonary artery; 

 peripheral arterio sclerosis 

PAC premature auricular 

 contraction; phenacetin, 

 aspirin, caffeine 

PAF paroxysmal auricular 

 fibrillation 

PAOD peripheral arterial occlusive 

 disease; peripheral 

 arteriosclerosis occlusive 

 disease 

PAP primary atypical pneumonia 

PAS pulmonary artery stenosis 

PAT pregnancy at term; 

 paroxysmal auricular 

 tachycardia 

Pb chemical symbol for lead 

PCD polycystic disease 

PCF passive congestive failure 

PCP pentachlorophenol; 

 pneumocystis carinii 

 pneumonia 

PCT porphyria cutanea tarda 

PCV polycythemia vera 

PDA patent ductus arteriosus 

PE pulmonary embolism; pleural 

 effusion; pulmonary edema 

PEG pneumoencephalography 

PET pre-eclamptic toxemia 

PG pregnant; prostaglandin 

PGH pituitary growth hormone 

PH past history; prostatic 

 hyertrophy; pulmonary 

 hypertension 

PI pulmonary infarction 

PID pelvic inflammatory disease; 

 pro-lapsed intervertebral disc 

PIE pulmonary interstitial 

 emphysema 

PIP proximal interphalangeal joint 

PKU phenylketonuria 

PMD progressive muscular 

 dystrophy 

PMI posterior myocardial 

 infarction; point of maximum 

 impulse 

PN periarteritis nodosa; 

 pneumonia;pyelonephritis 

PO postoperative 

POC product of conception 

POE point (or portal) of entry 

PP postpartum 

PPD purified protein derivative test 

 for tuberculosis 

PPH postpartum hemorrhage 

PPLO pleuropneumonia-like 

 organism 

PPS postpump syndrome 

PPT precipitated; prolonged 

 prothrombin time 

PROM premature rupture of 

 membranes 

PT paroxysmal tachycardia; 

 pneumothorax; prothrombin 

 time 

PTA prior to admission; persistent 

 truncus arteriosus 

PTC plasma thromboplastin 

 component 

PU peptic ulcer 

PUD peptic ulcer disease; 

 pulmonary disease 

PUO pyrexia of unknown origin 

P&V pyloroplasty and vagotomy 

PVC premature ventricular 

 contraction 

PVD peripheral vascular disease; 

 pulmonary vascular disease 

PVI peripheral vascular 

 insufficiency 

PVT paroxysmal ventricular 

 tachycardia 

PVS premature ventricular systole 

 (contraction) 

PWI posterior wall infarction 

PWMI posterior wall myocardial 

 infarction 

PX pneumothorax 

R right 

RA rheumatoid arthritis; right 

 atrium; right auricle 

RAD radiation absorbed dose 

RAI radioactive iodine 

RBBB right bundle branch block 

RBC red blood cells 

RCA right coronary artery 

RCS reticulum cell sarcoma 

RD Raynaud's disease; respiratory 

 disease 

RDS respiratory distress syndrome 

RE regional enteritis 

REG radioencephalogram 

RF rheumatic fever 

RHD rheumatic heart disease 

RLF retrolental fibroplasia 

RLL right lower lobe 

RMCA right middle cerebral artery 

RMCAT right middle cerebral artery 

 thrombosis 

RMLE right mediolateral 

 episiotomy 

RNA ribonucleic acid 

RND radical neck dissection 

R/O rule out 

RSA reticulum cell sarcoma 

RSR regular sinus rhythm 

Rt right 

RT recreational therapy; right 

RTA renal tubular acidosis 

RV right ventricle 

RVH right ventricular hypertrophy 

RVT renal vein thrombosis 

RX drugs or other therapy or 

 treatment 

 without 

SA sarcoma; secondary anemia 

SACD subacute combined 

 degeneration 

SBE subacute bacterial 

 endocarditis 

SBO small bowel obstruction 

SC sickle cell 

SCC squamous cell carcinoma 

SCI Subcoma insulin; spinal cord 

 injury 

SD spontaneous delivery; septal 

defect; sudden death 

SDAT senile dementia, Alzheimer's 

 type 

SDII sudden death in infancy 
Item 32 

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SDS sudden death syndrome 

SF scarlet fever 

SGA small for gestational age 

SH serum hepatitis 

SI saline injection 

SIADH syndrome of inappropriate 

 antidiuretic hormone 

SICD sudden infant crib death 

SID sudden infant death 

SIDS sudden infant death syndrome 

SLC short leg cast 

SLE systemic lupus erythematosus; 

 Saint Louis encephalitis 

SMR submucous resection 

SNB scalene node biopsy 

SO or S&O salpingo-oophorectomy 

SOB shortness of breath 

SOM secretory otitis media 

SOR suppurative otitis, recurrent 

S/P status post 

SPD sociopathic personality 

 disturbance 

SPP suprapubic prostatectomy 

SQ subcutaneous 

S/R schizophrenic reaction; 

 sinus rhythm 

S/p P/T schizophrenic reaction, 

 paranoid type 

SSE soapsuds enema 

SSKI saturated solution 

 potassium iodide 

SSPE subacute sclerosing 

 panencephalitis 

STB stillborn 

STS serological test for syphilis 

STSG split thickness skin graft 

SUBQ subcutaneous 

SUD sudden unexpected death 

SUDI sudden unexplained death 

 of an infant 

SUID sudden unexpected infant 

 death 

SVC superior vena cava 

SVD spontaneous vaginal 

 delivery 

Sx symptoms 

T&A tonsillectomy and 

 adenoidectomy 

TAH total abdominal 

 hysterectomy 

TAL tendon achilles 

 lengthening 

TAO Triacetyloleandomycin 

 (antibiotic); thromboangiitis 

 oliterans 

TAPVR total anomalous pulmonary 

 venous return 

TAR thrombocytopenia absent 

 radius (syndrome) 

TAT tetanus anti-toxin 

TB tuberculosis; 

 tracheobronchitis 

TBC,Tbc tuberculosis 

TBLC term birth living child 

TCI transient cerebral 

 ischemia 

TEF tracheo-esophageal fistula 

TF tetralogy of Fallot 

TGV transposition great vessels 

TI tricuspid insufficiency 

TIA transient ischemic attack 

TIE transient ischemic episode 

TL tubal ligation 

TM tympanic membrane 

TOA tubo-ovarian abscess 

TP thrombocytopenic purpura 

TSD Tay-Sachs disease 

TTP thrombotic 

 thrombocytopenic purpura 

TUI transurethral incision 

TUR transurethral resection 

 (NOS) (prostate) 

TURP transurethral resection of 

 prostate 

TVP total anomalous venous 

 return 

UC ulcerative colitis 

UP ureteropelvic 

UPJ ureteropelvic junction 

URI upper respiratory infection 

UTI urinary tract infection 

VAMP vincristine, amethopterine, 

 6-mercaptopurine, and 

 prednisone 

VB vinblastine 

VC vincristine 

VD venereal disease 

VDRL venereal disease research lab 

VEE Venezuelan equine 

 encephalomyelitis 

VF ventricular fibrillation 

VH vaginal hysterectomy; viral 

 hepatitis 

VL vas ligation 

VM viomycin 

V&P vagotomy and pyloroplasty 

VPC ventricular premature 

 contractions 
Item 32 

Page 24 of 31 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

VR valve replacement 

VSD ventricular septal defect 

VT ventricular tachycardia 

WBC white blood cell 

WC whooping cough 

WE Western encephalomyelitis 

WPW Wolfe-Parkinson-White 

 syndrome 

YF yellow fever 

ZE Zollinger-Ellison (syndrome) 

# fracture 

' minute 

" second(s) 

 decreased 

 increased; elevated 

 without 

00

11 secondary to 

00

11 to secondary to 

4) Rare cause. If a rare cause of death is on the death certificate, provide an automatic query 

stating: The reported cause is one of the causes that State Health Departments always try to 

verify, either because the cause is rarely reported on a death certificate or because it may 

present threats to public health in the United States. Then ask, Was this the cause of death 

that the certifier intended to enter? In some cases, the rare cause may be a sequelae or late 

effect. The State may find it useful to probe for this possibility. 

 The diagnosis then needs to be confirmed by the certifier. It is strongly recommended by 

NCHS/CDC that the State vital statistics program notify, as soon as possible, the state health 

officer (or designee) and the state epidemiologist of validated rare causes of death. For all cases, 

a notation of confirmation should be recorded on a copy of the certificate that is sent to the 

NCHS, whether confirmed electronically or by traditional means. Correspondence between 

NCHS and the State will still be needed, so that we ensure that all appropriate parties are aware 

that a rare cause has been reported. 

The following list of infrequent and rare causes is from NCHS Instruction Manual Part 2a, 

Instructions for classifying the underlying cause of death, 2001 (see 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/im.htm and latest manual): 
Item 32 

Page 25 of 31 

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A00 Cholera 

A01 Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers 

A05.1 Botulism (botulism, infant botulism, wound botulism) 

A07.0-.2,.8-.9 Other protozoal intestinal diseases, excluding coccidiosis 

A20 Plague 

A21 Tularemia 

A22 Anthrax 

A23 Brucellosis 

A24.0 Glanders 

A24.1-.4 Melioidosis 

A25 Rat-bite fever 

A27 Leptospirosis 

A30 Leprosy 

A33 Tetanus neonatorum 

A34 Obstetrical tetanus 

A35 Other tetanus (Tetanus) 

A36 Diphtheria 

A37 Whooping cough 

A44 Bartonellosis 

A65 Nonvenereal syphyllis 

A66 Yaws 

A67 Pinta 

A68 Relapsing fever 

A69 Other spirochetal infection 

A70 Chlamydia psittaci infection (ornithosis) 

A75.0 Louse-born typhus due to Rickettsia prowazekii 

A75.1-.9 Other typhus 

A77.1 Spotted fever due to Rickettsia conorii (Boutonneuse fever) 

A77.2 Spotted fever due to Rickettsia siberica (North Asian tick fever) 

A77.3 Spotted fever due to Rickettsia australis (Queensland tick typhus) 

A77.8 Other spotted fevers (Other tick-born rickettsioses) 

A77.9 Unspecified spotted fevers (Unspecified tick-born rickettsioses) 

A78 Q fever 

A79 Other Rickettsioses 

A80 Acute poliomyelitis 

A81 Slow virus infections of central nervous system 

A82 Rabies 

A84 Tick-born viral encephalitis 

A85.2 Arthropod-born viral encephalitis, unspecified (Viral encephalitis transmitted by other and 

unspecified arthropods) 

A90 Dengue fever 

A91 Dengue hemmorrhagic fever 

A92 Other mosquito-born viral fevers 

A93 Other arthropod-born viral fevers including Oropouche 

 fever, sandfly fever, Colorado tick fever and other specified 

A94 Unspecified arthropod-born viral fever 

A95 Yellow fever 

A96 Arenaviral hemorrhagic fever 

A98-A99 Other viral hemorrhagic fevers including Crimean-Congo, 

 Omsk, Kyasanur Forest, Ebola virus, Hanta virus 

B01 Varicella without complication (Chickenpox) 

B03 Small pox 

B04 Monkeypox 

B05 Measles 

B06 Rubella 
Item 32 

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B08.0 Other orthopoxvirus (cowpox and paravaccinia) 

B26 Mumps 

B33.0 Epidemic myalgia (epidemic pleurodynia) 

B50-B54 Malaria 

B55 Leishmaniasis 

B56 African trypanosomiasis (trypanosomiasis) 

B57 Chagas' disease (trypanosomiasis) 

B65 Schistosomiasis 

B66 Other fluke infections (Other trematode infection) 

B67 Echinococcosis 

B68 Taeniasis 

B69 Cysticercosis 

B70 Diphyllobothriasis and sparganosis 

B71 Other cestode infections 

B72 Dracunculiasis (Dracontiasis) 

B73 Onchocerciasis 

B74 Filariasis (Filarial infection) 

P35.0 Congenital rubella syndrome 

W88-W91 Exposure to radiation 

Y36.5 War operation involving nuclear weapons 

Causing adverse effects in therapeutic use: 

Y58 Bacterial vaccines 

Y59.0 Viral vaccines 

Y59.1 Rickettsial vaccines 

Y59.2 Protozoal vaccines 

Y59.3 Immunoglobulin 

5) Specificity for cancer. If words indicative of cancer appear on the death certificate (as 

shown below), ask Have you specified the site and cell type or if the condition had 

metastasized? Thank you. The following list is from Instruction manual part 2g, Data 

Entry Instructions for the Mortality Medical Indexing, Classification, and Retrieval 

System (MICAR), 2000 (see http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/im.htm and latest 

manual).

Acidophil cancer 

Acidophil carcinoma 

Adenocarcinoma 

Adenocarcinomatosis 

Adenofibroma 

Adenoid cystic carcinoma 

Adenoma 

Adenomatous polyp 

Adenomatous polyposis 

Adenosarcoma 

Adenosquamous (cell) cancer 

Adenosquamous (cell) carcinoma 

Aleukemic leukemia 

Alveolar adenocarcinoma 

Alveolar carcinoma 

Alveolar cancer 

Alveolar cell cancer 

Alveolar cell carcinoma 

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma 

Anaplastic adenocarcinoma 

Anaplastic astrocytoma 

Anaplastic cancer 

Anaplastic carcinoma 

Anaplastic fulminant cancer 

Anaplastic fulminant carcinoma 

Angioblastic meningioma 

Angioblastoma 

Angioma 

Angiomyosarcoma 

Angiosarcoma 

Apocrine cancer 

Apocrine carcinoma 

Astroblastoma 

Astrocytoma 

Astroglioma 

Basal cell cancer 
Item 32 

Page 27 of 31 

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Basal cell carcinoma 

Basal cell epithelioma 

Basophil adenocarcinoma 

Basophil cancer 

Basophil carcinoma 

Bile duct type cancer 

Bile duct type carcinoma 

C cell cancer 

C cell carcinoma 

Cancer 

Carcinoid 

Carcinoid malignancy 

Carcinoid tumor 

Carcinoma 

Carcinomatosis 

Cavernous hemangioma 

Cavernous lymphangioma 

Chemodectoma 

Cholangiocarcinoma 

Cholangiohepatoma 

Cholangioma 

Chondrosarcoma 

Chordoma 

Choriocarcinoma 

Chorioepithelioma 

Chorionic cancer 

Chorionic carcinoma 

Chromophobe adenocarcinoma 

Chromophobe adenoma 

Chromophobe cancer 

Chromophobe carcinoma 

Clear cell adenocarcinoma 

Congenital leukemia 

Craniopharyngioma 

Cylindroma 

Cystadenocarcinoma 

Dermatofibroma 

Dermatofibrosarcoma 

Di Guglielmos disease 

Duct cell carcinoma 

Ductal cancer 

Ductal carcinoma 

Ductal cell carcinoma 

Dukes adenocarcinoma 

Dukes cancer 

Dysgerminoma 

Eaton lambert syndrome 

Embryoma 

Embryonal adenocarcinoma 

Embryonal cancer 

Embryonal carcinoma 

Eosinophil adenocarcinoma 

Eosinophil cancer 

Eosinophil carcinoma 

Ependymoblastoma 

Ependymoma 

Epidermoid cancer 

Epidermoid carcinoma 

Epidermoid cystic tumor 

Epithelioma 

Erythremic myelosis 

Erythrocythemia 

Erythroleukemia 

Ewings sarcoma 

Ewings tumor 

Familial polyposis 

Fibroid 

Fibroid tumor 

Fibrolipoma 

Fibroliposarcoma 

Fibroma 

Fibromyoma 

Fibromyosarcoma 

Fibromyxolipoma 

Fibromyxosarcoma 

Fibrosarcoma 

Fibrous histiocytoma 

Follicular adenocarcinoma 

Follicular lymphoma 

Ganglioglioma 

Gardners syndrome 

Gastrinoma 

Gastrocarcinoma 

Germ cell carcinoma 

Giant cell cancer 

Giant cell carcinoma 

Giant cell leukemia 

Glioblastoma 

Glioblastoma multiforme 

Glioma 

Gliosarcoma 

Glomangioma 

Granulocytic leukemia 

Granulocytic leukemia blast crisis 

Granulosa cell cancer 

Granulosa cell carcinoma 

Growth 

Hemangioendothelioma 

Hemangioma 

Hemangiopericytoma 

Hemangiosarcoma 

Hemoleukemia 

Hepatoblastoma 

Hepatocarcinoma 

Hepatocellular cancer 

Hepatocellular carcinoma 

Hepatocholangiocarcinoma 

Hepatocholangiolitic cancer 

Hepatocholangiolitic carcinoma 

Hepatoma 

Histiocytic leukemia 

Histiocytic lymphoma 

Histiocytoma 

Hodgkins disease 

Hodgkins disease 

Hodgkins lymphoma 

Hurthle cell adenocarcinoma 

Hurthle cell adenoma 

Hurthle cell cancer 

Hurthle cell carcinoma 

Hygroma 

Hypernephroma 

Immunoblastic sarcoma 

Immunolymphosarcoma 

Infiltrating duct adenocarcinoma 

Infiltrating duct cancer 

Infiltrating duct carcinoma 

Infiltrating duct cell cancer 

Infiltrating duct cell carcinoma 

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma 

Infiltrating lobular carcinoma 

Inflammatory cancer 

Inflammatory carcinoma 

Insulinoma 

Insuloma 

Intraductal cancer 

Intraductal carcinoma 

Islet cell adenocarcinoma 

Islet cell adenoma 

Islet cell cancer 

Islet cell carcinoma 

Kaposi sarcoma 

Kaposis sarcoma 

Kasabach Merritt syndrome 

Krukenbergs tumor 

Large cell anaplastic cancer 

Large cell anaplastic carcinoma 

Large cell cancer 

Large cell carcinoma 

Large cell lymphoma 

Large cell tumor 

Leiomyosarcoma 

Lesion 

Leucosarcoma 

Leukemia 

Leukemic crisis 

Leukemic infiltrate 

Leukemic infiltration 

Leukemic lymphosarcoma 

Leukolymphosarcoma 

Leukosarcoma 

Linitis plastica 

Lipoblastoma 

Lipoblastomatosis 

Lipofibroma 

Lipoma 

Lipomyosarcoma 

Lipomyxoma 

Lipomyxosarcoma 

Liposarcoma 

Lobular carcinoma 
Item 32 

Page 28 of 31 

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Lymphangiosarcoma 

Lymphangiosarcoma 

Lymphatic leukemia 

Lymphocyte depleted 

Lymphocytic leukemia 

Lymphocytic lymphoma 

Lymphocytic lymphosarcoma 

Lymphogenous leukemia 

Lymphohistiocytic lymphoma 

Lymphoid leukemia 

Lympholeukemia 

Lymphoma 

Lymphomatous disease 

Lymphoproliferative disease 

Lymphoproliferative disorder 

Lymphoreticularproliferative disease 

Lymphoreticularproliferative 

 disorder 

Lymphoreticulum cell leukemia 

Lymphosarcoma 

Lymphosarcoma cell leukemia 

Lymphosarcoma leukemia 

Malignancy 

Mass 

Medullary carcinoma 

Medulloblastoma 

Megaadenoma 

Megakaryocytic leukemia 

Megakaryocytic myelosclerosis 

Megakaryocytoid leukemia 

Megaloleukemia 

Meigs syndrome 

Melanoma 

Meningioma 

Mesenchymoma 

Mesoepithelioma 

Mesothelioma 

Metastases 

Metastasis 

Microglioma 

Mixed cell leukemia 

Mixed cell lymphoma 

Mixed leukemia 

Monocytic leukemia 

Monocytoid leukemia 

Monoleukemia 

Monoleukocytic leukemia 

Monomyelocytic leukemia 

Monomyelogenous leukemia 

Mucinous adenocarcinoma 

Mucinous adenofibroma 

Mucinous cancer 

Mucinous carcinoma 

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma 

Mucinous cystadenocarcoma 

Mucinous cystadenoma 

Mucoepidermoid cancer 

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma 

Mucoid cell adenocarcinoma 

Multiple myeloma 

Myelogenous leukemia 

Myeloid leukemia 

Myeloleukemia 

Myeloma 

Myelomonocytic leukemia 

Myeloproliferative disease 

Myeloproliferative disorder 

Myeloproliferative syndrome 

Myelosis 

Myoliposarcoma 

Myoma 

Myxofibrosarcoma 

Myxoliposarcoma 

Myxopapillary ependymoma 

Myxosarcoma 

Neoplasm 

Neoplastic disease 

Nephroblastoma 

Nephroma 

Neurilemmoma 

Neurilemmosarcoma 

Neuroblastoma 

Neurofibromatosis 

Neurofibrosarcoma 

Neurogenic sarcoma 

Nodular lymphcytic leukemia 

Nodular lymphoma 

Non Hodgkins lymphoma 

Non oat cell carcinoma 

Non small cell carcinoma 

Oat cell cancer 

Oat cell carcinoma 

Oligodendroblastoma 

Oligodendroglioma 

Orchioblastoma 

Osteochondrosarcoma 

Osteofibrosarcoma 

Osteogenic sarcoma 

Osteosarcoma 

Pancoast syndrome 

Pancoast tumor 

Pancoasts syndrome 

Pancoasts tumor 

Papillary adenocarcinoma 

Papillary cancer 

Papillary carcinoma 

Papillary ependymoma 

Papillary serous adenocarcinoma 

Papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma 

Papillary transitional (cell) 

 carcinoma 

Pheochromoblastoma 

Pheochromocytoma 

Pinealoblastoma 

Pinealoma 

Pineoblastoma 

Pineocytoma 

Plasma cell leukemia 

Plasma cell myeloma 

Plasmacytic myeloma 

Plasmacytoma 

Polycythemia 

Polycythemia rubra vera 

Polycythemia vera 

Polyp 

Polyposis 

Promyelocytic leukemia 

Pseudofollicular leukemia 

Pseudomucinous adenocarcinoma 

Pseudomucinous cancer 

Pseudomucinous carcinoma 

Pseudomucinous 

 cystadenocarcinoma 

Recklinghausens disease 

Renal cell adenocarcinoma 

Renal cell cancer 

Renal cell carcinoma 

Reticularproliferative disease 

Reticuloendothelial tumor 

Reticulum cell sarcoma 
Item 32 

Page 29 of 31 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Retinoblastoma 

Rhabdomyosarcoma 

Rhabdosarcoma 

Round cell cancer 

Round cell carcinoma 

Sarcoma 

Sarcomatosis 

Schilling type monocytic leukemia 

Schwannoma 

Scirrhous carcinoma 

Seminoma 

Serous adenocarcinoma 

Serous adenofibroma 

Serous cystadenocarcinoma 

Signet cell adenocarcinoma 

Sipples syndrome 

Small cell cancer 

Small cell carcinoma 

Small cell lymphoma 

Spindle cell cancer 

Spindle cell carcinoma 

Squamous cancer 

Squamous carcinoma 

Squamous cell cancer 

Squamous cell carcinoma 

Stem cell leukemia 

Subependymoma 

Subleukemic leukemia 

Synovial sarcoma 

T cell leukemia 

T cell lymphoma 

Teratoma 

Theca cell cancer 

Theca cell carcinoma 

Thecoma 

Thrombocythemia 

Thrombocytic leukemia 

Thymoma 

Transitional (cell) cancer 

Transitional (cell) carcinoma 

Transitional cell tumor 

Tumor 

Vaguez disease 

Vaguez Osler disease 

Vernet Morrison syndrome 

Verrucous carcinoma 

Villous adenocarcinoma 

Villous adenoma 

Von Recklinghausens disease 

Von Recklinghausens tumor 

WDHA syndrome 

Wilms tumor 

6) Unlikely underlying causes. Include an edit that flags the following as unlikely (nonspecific) 

underlying causes of death if reported on the lowest used line. The causes include:

Abscess 

Abdominal hemorrhage 

Abdominal hem 

Acute myocardial 

infarction 

A MI 

A Myocardial infarct 

A Myocardial infarction 

Acute MI 

Acute myocardial infarct 

AMI 

Adhesions 

Adult respiratory distress 

 Syndrome 

ARDS 

Anemia 

Altered mental status 

Anoxia 

Anoxic encephalopathy 

Arrhythmia 

Ascites 

Aspiration 

Aspir 

Atrial fibrillation 

AF 

Bacteremia 

Bedridden 

Bed ridden condition 

Bed ridden status 

Bedridden state 

Bedridden status 

Biliary obstruction 

Bowel obstruction 

Obstructed bowel 

Brain injury 

Brain injuring 

Brain stem herniation 

Carcinogenesis 

Carcinomatosis 

Cardiac arrest 

Cardiac dysrhythmia 

Cardiomyopathy 

CMY 

Cardiopulmonary arrest 

Cellulitis 

Cerebellar tonsillar 

 herniation 

Cerebral edema 

Cerebral Ed 

Cerebrovascular accident 

Cerebral vascular accident 

Cerv accident 

Cerva 

CVA 

CVACC 

Chronic bedridden state 

Cirrhosis 

Cirrhosis D Cirrhosis 

disease 

Cirrhotic 

Coagulopathy 

Compression fracture 

Congestive Heart Failure 

CHF 

Congestive HFA 

Congestive HTF 

Congestive HTFA 

Convulsions 

Decubiti 

Dehydration 

Deh 

Dementia (when not 

otherwise specified) 

Diarrhea 

Disseminated intravascular 

 coagulopathy 

Dis intravascular 

 coagulopathy 

Dysrhythmia 

End-stage liver disease 

End-stage renal disease 

End stage renal D 

Endstage renal 

Endstage Renal D 

Endstage renal disease 

ESRD 

Epidural hematoma 

Exsanguination 

Exsanguinated 

Failure to thrive 

FTT 

Fracture 
Item 32 

Page 30 of 31 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

FX 

Gangrene 

Gastro Intestinal hem 

Gastro Intestinal 

hemorrhage 

Gastrointestinal Hem 

Gastrointestinal 

hemorrhage 

Gi hem 

Gi hemorrhage 

Gihem 

G 

Gangrenous 

Gg 

GOK 

Heart failure 

HFA 

HTF 

HTFA 

Hemothorax 

Hepatic failure 

Hepatitis 

Hepatorenal syndrome 

Hepatorenal Sy 

Hepatorenal syndrome 

Hyperglycemia 

Hyperkalemia 

Hyponatremia 

Hypotension 

Hypovolemic shock 

Immunosuppression 

Increased intracranial 

 pressure 

Increase intracranial 

 pressure 

Intracranial pressure 

 increased 

Intracranial hemorrhage 

Intracranial hem 

Malnutrition 

Metabolic encephalopathy 

Multi-organ failure 

Multiple system failure 

Multiple systems failure 

Multisystem failure 

Multi organ system failure 

Multi organ systems failure 

Multi organs system failure 

Multi organs systems 

failure 

Multi system organ failure 

Multi system organs failure 

Multi systems organ failure 

Multi systems organs 

failure 

Multiorgan system failure 

Multiorgan systems failure 

Multiorgans system failure 

Multiorgans systems 

failure 

Multiple organ system 

failure 

Multiple organ systems 

failure 

Multiple organs system 

failure 

Multiple organs systems 

failure 

Multiple system organ 

failure 

Multiple system organs 

failure 

Multiple systems organ 

failure 

Multiple systems organs 

failure 

Multisystem organ failure 

Multisystem organs failure 

Multisystems organ failure 

Multisystems organs 

failure 

Organ system failure 

Multi-system organ failure 

Myocardial infarction 

MI 

Myocardial infarct 

Myocardium infarct 

Myocardium infarction 

Necrotizing soft-tissue 

infection 

Old age 

Open (or closed) head 

injury 

Closed head trauma 

Pancytopenia 

Paralysis 

Perforated gallbladder 

Peritonitis 

Pleural effusions 

Pleura effusion 

Pleural effusion 

Pneumonia 

Pn 

Pulmonary edema 

Pul ed 

Pul edema 

Pulmonary ed 

Pulmonary embolism 

Pul embolism 

Pul embolus 

Pulem 

Pulmonary emboli 

Pulmonary embolus 

Pulmonary insufficiency 

Pul insuf 

Pul insufficiency 

Puli 

Pulmonary insuf 

Renal failure 

Renfa 

Respiratory arrest 

Seizures 

Seizure 

Sepsis 

Septic shock 

Shock 

Starvation 

Subarachnoid hemorrhage 

Sa hem 

Sa hemorrhage 

Subarachnoid hem 

Subdural hematoma 

Subd hematoma 

Sudden death 

Thrombocytopenia 

Uncal herniation 

Urinary tract infection 

UTI 

Ventricular fibrillation 

VF 

Ventricular tachycardia 

VT 

Volume depletion 

The flagged causes would generate either a generic message similar to the message for 

the first automatic query but giving the certifier more leeway in reporting these 

conditions. The message to the certifier is: The condition you reported on the lowest 

box in Part I (“Pneumonia”) usually develops as a complication of another more 

specific condition. Was there a specific underlying condition in this case? If so, 

please report it in the lowest box you use in Part I. The appropriate term should be 

used where Pneumonia is shown as an example. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS: 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 
Item 32 

Page 31 of 31 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

CODIa 120 alpha character string literal 

CODIb 120 alpha character string literal 

CODIc 120 alpha character string literal 

CODId 120 alpha character string literal 

CODII 240 alpha character string literal 

INTIa 20 alpha character string literal 

INTIb 20 alpha character string literal 

INTIc 20 alpha character string literal 

INTId 20 alpha character string literal

Not necessary to transmit these variables if State does its own cause-of-death processing 

and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 
Item 33, 34 

Page 1 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: WAS AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED? 

WERE AUTOPSY FINDINGS AVAILABLE 

TO COMPLETE THE CAUSE OF DEATH? 

Item Number: 33, 34

Description: Information on whether or not an autopsy was performed 

and if the findings of the autopsy were available for 

completing the medical portion of the death certificate.

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or 

 Coroner 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner 

 

Check the appropriate box in item 33. Was an autopsy performed? 

 Yes 

 No 

Select “Yes” if a partial or complete autopsy was performed. A toxicological exam only 

is not an autopsy or partial autopsy. 

If no is checked, leave item 34 blank. 

If yes is checked, complete item 34 (Were autopsy findings available to complete the 

cause of death?) 

 Yes 

 No 

 
Item 33, 34 

Page 2 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Selection of “Yes” or “No” to be made from list. 

 Was an autopsy performed? 

 Yes 

 No 

Instructions for help screen on this item 

Select “Yes” if a partial or complete autopsy was performed. A toxicological exam 

alone is not an autopsy or partial autopsy. 

If the response is no, the next item will be skipped and the code for “Not applicable” 

automatically entered in the data field for item 34. 

If the response is yes, the yes/no list for item 35 appears: 

 Were the results of the autopsy available to complete the cause of death? 

 Yes 

 No 

After a selection is made, go to the next item. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

AUTOP Autopsy performed? Y Yes 

 N No 

AUTOPF Autopsy findings available? Y Yes 

 N No 

 X Not applicable 
Item 33, 34 

Page 3 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

EDITS: 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

Electronic record for item 33 must contain one of the valid responses (yes or no). It 

cannot be left blank. If item is left blank and certifier tries to move to the next item, a 

screen will appear asking that the item be completed at this time. Record cannot be 

printed or filed until this is complete. If the response to item 33 is “no,” item 34 will be 

coded to “Not applicable.” 

If response to item 33 is yes, then item 34 must have a valid response (yes or no). It 

cannot be left blank. If certifier tries to move to the next item, a screen will appear that 

indicates an autopsy had been performed and asks that a response be chosen from the 

menu. 

• If item 33 is N, item 34 must be X. 

• If item 33 is Y, item 34 must be Y or N. 

• Items 33 and 34 cannot be blank. 

PAPER RECORDS 

 

Records filed with this field blank are queried. If no response to query, assign the “No” 

code to 33 and the “Not applicable” code to item 34. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 

 NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES
Item 33, 34 

Page 4 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

AUTOP 1 Alpha character string Y, N 

 

AUTOPF 1 Alpha character string Y, N, X 

Not necessary to transmit these variables separately if State does its own cause-of-death 

processing and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Item 35 

Page 1 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DID TOBACCO USE CONTRIBUTE 

TO DEATH? 

Item Number: 35

Description: Information on the use of tobacco contributing to 

death. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner

INSTRUCTIONS* 

* States that implemented the 2003 revision of the death certificate prior to 2005 may have adopted editing 

specifications that were consistent with the version of the certificate in effect through October 2003, that is 

the version that was initially recommended by the Panel to Evaluate the U.S. Standard Certificates and 

Reports (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/vital_certs_rev.htm). The standard certificates have now been officially 

cleared and promulgated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, effective November 2003, 

and incorporate modest changes in some items, including this item. States which revise their certificates 

for 2005 and later years are expected to use these specifications (dated 6/2004) that reflect the content of 

the cleared certificates. 

For item 35, the original version of the instructions for the death certificate read as follows: "Check "yes" 

if, in your opinion, the use of tobacco contributed to death. For example, tobacco use contributes to many 

deaths due to emphysema or lung cancer. Tobacco use also may contribute to some heart disease and 

cancers of the head and neck. Tobacco use should also be reported in deaths due to fires started by 

smoking. For example, tobacco use may contribute to deaths due to a wide variety of cardiovascular, 

respiratory, neoplastic, metabolic, and other diseases. Check yes, if in your clinical judgment, tobacco use 

contributed to this particular death." During the clearance process that wording was revised; on the final 

version of the death certificate, the instruction now reads "Check “yes” if, in your opinion, the use of 

tobacco contributed to death. Tobacco use may contribute to deaths due to a wide variety of diseases; for 

example, tobacco use contributes to many deaths due to emphysema or lung cancer and some heart disease 

and cancers of the head and neck. Check “no” if, in your clinical judgment, tobacco use did not contribute 

to this particular death." 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner 

 

Check the appropriate box in item 36. 

 Did tobacco use contribute to death? 
Item 35 

Page 2 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 Yes 

 No 

 Probably 

 Unknown 

Choose “yes” if the use of tobacco contributed to the decedent’s death. Choose “no” if, 

in your clinical judgment, tobacco use did not contribute to this particular death. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Response for this item is made by selecting one of the choices from the menu list below. 

 Did tobacco use contribute to the death? 

 Yes 

 No 

 Probably 

 Unknown 

Instructions to be included in the help function. 

Choose “yes” if the use of tobacco contributed to the decedent’s death. Choose 

“no” if, in your clinical judgment, tobacco use did not contribute to this 

particular death. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

TOBAC Tobacco use contributes to death? Y Yes 

 N No 

 P Probably 

 U Unknown 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 
Item 35 

Page 3 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

The electronic record must contain one of the valid responses indicated above. The field 

cannot be left blank. Certifier can tab to the next item, but a pending flag for the screen is 

assigned. When the record is transmitted a final query screen will appear asking that the 

item be completed at this time. Record cannot be printed or filed until this is complete. 

PAPER RECORD 

Records filed with this field blank are queried. If no response to query, assign the 

“Unknown” code. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Must be a valid code (see below). 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

 NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES

TOBAC 1 Alpha character string Y, N, P, U 

Not necessary to transmit these variables if State does its own cause-of-death processing 

and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Item 36 

Page 1 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: IF FEMALE

Item Number: 36

Description: An item for females that requests information on the 

pregnancy status of the deceased woman within the last 

year of her life. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Certifying Physician or Coroner

 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Certifying Physician or Coroner 

 

If the decedent is a female, check the appropriate box in item 36. If the decedent is a 

male, leave the item blank. 

 Not pregnant within the past year 

 Pregnant at the time of death 

 Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

 Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before death 

 Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

The question will be asked and a screen will appear only if the gender of the deceased is 

female and decedent is in the age range 5 to 75 years. A response will be selected from 

the menu list below. 
Item 36 

Page 2 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Menu list 

What is the decedent’s pregnancy status at the time of death? 

• Not pregnant within the past year 

• Pregnant at the time of death 

• Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

• Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before death 

• Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

PREG Pregnancy status 1 Not pregnant within the past 

 Year 

2 Pregnant at the time of death 

3 Not pregnant, but pregnant 

within 42 days of death 

4 Not pregnant, but pregnant 

43 days to 1 year before 

death 

8 Not applicable 

9 Unknown

PREG_BYPASS Edit flag 0 OFF 

1 ON (verified) 

2 ON (queried but not verified) 

PEND36 Pending flag 0 OFF 

 1 ON

EDITS: 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

If sex is male, a “Not applicable” code is automatically entered in the field. 
Item 36 

Page 3 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If sex is female and the decedent is less than 5 years of age or greater than 75 years of 

age the “Not applicable” code is assigned. If the sex is female and the decedent is within 

the age range 5-75 years, the electronic record must contain one of the valid responses 

indicated above. The field cannot be left blank. The certifier can leave it blank and tab to 

the next item but a pending flag is placed on the item. When the record is transmitted, a 

final query screen will appear asking that the item be completed at this time. The record 

cannot be printed or filed until this is complete.

If the deceased woman is less than 10 years of age or greater than 54 years of age and 

the response to the item indicates a pregnancy in the past year, a query message will 

appear indicating a possible incompatibility between this item and the age of the 

deceased. The certifier is asked to verify or change the response to this item. Since this 

is an electronic record, the age has already been edited and is assumed to be correct. 

Suggested query message: 

The deceased is a ______year old female and the response to this item 

indicates she was pregnant in the year preceding death. 

Your response to item 36 was _____________________________________ 

Please verify that the response is correct or enter a new response. Check one 

box. 

 Record is correct 

 Not pregnant within the past year 

 Not pregnant, but pregnant within 42 days of death 

 Not pregnant, but pregnant 43 days to 1 year before 

death 

 Pregnant at the time of death 

 Unknown if pregnant within the past year 

If the “Record is correct” box is checked, the edit bypass flag is set to “ON-1.” 

Paper Records 

Records with this item completed for a male are assigned the “Not applicable” code. 

Records for women between ages 5 and 75 years of age filed with this field blank are 

queried. If no response to query, assign the “unknown” code. 

Age and response edits as indicated above are run. Record is queried if conditions 

indicate an unlikely combination of age and response to item 36. If record is correct, edit 

bypass flag is set to “ON-1”. If no response to query, set edit bypass to ON-2 (Not 

verifiable). 
Item 36 

Page 4 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

The edit bypass variable will always be set to 0 unless changed to reflect an unusual 

situation (set to 1), or if the data are queried and there is no response, it is set to 2. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Must be a valid code (see below). 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

PREG 1 character string variable 1-4, 8, 9 

PREG_BYPASS 1 character string variable 0-2 

Not necessary to transmit these variables separately if State does its own cause-of-death 

processing and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Items 37, 45 

Page 1 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: MANNER OF DEATH 

 CERTIFIER

Item Numbers: 37, 45

Description: An item where the certifying physician, medical 

examiner or coroner identifies the manner or how the 

deceased died. (Item 37)

The type of certifier and his/her signature. (Item 45) 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or 

 Coroner 

 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD:

Certifying Physician, Medical Examiner, or Coroner 

 

Always provide a response to manner of death. Indicate “Pending investigation” if the 

manner of death cannot be determined to be an accident, suicide, or homicide within the 

statutory time limit for filing the death certificate. This should be changed later to one of 

the other terms. Indicate “Could not be determined” only when it is impossible to 

determine the manner of death. 

 

Check the appropriate box. 

 Natural 

 Accident 

 Suicide 

 Homicide 

 Pending Investigation 

 Could not be determined 

When the certifier gets to item 45, the appropriate box should be checked and the certifier 

must sign the certificate. 

 Certifying Physician 

 Pronouncing and Certifying Physician 
Items 37, 45 

Page 2 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 Medical Examiner/Coroner 

NOTE: Some State laws allow other types of individuals to certify and report the cause 

of death. This type of law contributes to poor quality of cause-of-death data and is in 

violation of the International Classification of Diseases recommendations and 

regulations. If, and only if, State law allows this practice, an additional checkbox should 

be shown and an additional literal question should appear asking for the type (e.g., nurse 

practitioner, chiropractor, dentist, etc.): 

 Other Individual Legally Allowed to Certify 

If “Other Individual Legally Allowed to Certify” is selected, a message will appear 

asking to specify the type of individual. 

Other Individual Legally Allowed to Certify 

Please specify what type of individual is certifying: _________________________ 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

This item is to be completed by making a selection from the menu list. 

Menu list 

MANNER OF DEATH 

Always provide a response to manner of death. Indicate “Pending investigation” if 

the manner of death cannot be determined to be an accident, suicide, or homicide 

within the statutory time limit for filing the death certificate. This should be 

changed later to one of the other terms. Indicate “Could not be determined” only 

when it is impossible to determine the manner of death. 

Select one response: 

 Natural 

 Accident 

 Suicide 

 Homicide 

 Pending Investigation 

 Could not be determined 

NOTE: Manner of death should never default to natural. 
Items 37, 45 

Page 3 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

In most States, any non-natural death must be certified by a Medical Examiner 

(ME) or Coroner. States could have on this screen the referral to the ME or Coroner 

criteria and ask that the case be referred to the ME or Coroner if the manner of death 

meets the State’s referral criteria. 

Once this item is completed, the following list of choices will appear: 

CERTIFIER 

You are completing the medical certification as: 

 Certifying Physician (MD, DO) 

 Pronouncing and Certifying Physician (MD, DO) 

 Medical Examiner/Coroner 

NOTE: Some State laws allow other types of individuals to certify and report the cause 

of death. This type of law contributes to poor quality of cause-of-death data and is in 

violation of the International Classification of Diseases recommendations and 

regulations. If, and only if, State law allows this practice, an additional checkbox should 

be shown and an additional literal question should appear asking for the type (e.g., nurse 

practitioner, chiropractor, dentist, etc.): 

 Other Individual Legally Allowed to Certify 

If “Other Individual Legally Allowed to Certify” is selected, a message will appear 

asking to specify the type of individual. 

Other Individual Legally Allowed to Certify 

Please specify what type of individual is certifying: _________________________ 

If natural has been selected for item 37, the certifier will be asked to complete screens for 

items 46-49, and will be asked to enter his/her electronic signature. 

If any response other than natural is selected and the second screen indicates that the 

certifier is a Medical Examiner or Coroner, the certifier will be asked to complete 

screens for items 38-44 and 46-49 and will be asked to enter his/her electronic signature. 

When the electronic signature is to be entered, the following statements should appear 

depending on the type of certifier. 

Pronouncing and certifying physician 

• To the best of my knowledge death occurred at the time, date, and place, 

and due to the cause(s) and manner stated. 
Items 37, 45 

Page 4 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Certifying physician 

• To the best of my knowledge, death occurred due to the cause(s) and 

manner stated. 

Medical Examiner or Coroner 

• On the basis of examination, and/or investigation in my opinion, death 

occurred at the time, date, and place, and due to the cause(s) and manner 

stated. 

NOTE: States with laws allowing others to certify will need an additional statement for 

the other types of individuals that are allowed to certify cause of death. 

Other Individual Legally Allowed to Certify 

h To the best of my knowledge, death occurred due to the cause(s) and 

 manner stated. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

MANNER N Natural 

 A Accident 

 S Suicide 

 H Homicide 

 P Pending investigation 

 C Could not be determined 

CERT D Certifying Physician 

 P Pronouncing & Certifying Physician 

 M Medical Examiner/Coroner 

 O Other Individuals Legally Allowed 

 To Certify 

CERTL Literal for other Literal 

 Certifier types response 

PEND37 Pending flag 0 Off 

 1 On 

 
Items 37, 45 

Page 5 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

EDITS: 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

Item 37. Certifier can tab to another screen and pend the item. When this occurs, a 

screen will automatically appear at the time the record is to be printed or filed, which 

indicates that the item must be completed at this time. The item cannot be blank. Record 

cannot be printed or filed unless there is a valid response to the item. 

Item 45 cannot be blank. See item 37 above for how to handle if certifier tries to leave it 

blank. 

If item 37 is any response but natural, item 45 should be medical/examiner or coroner 

unless cause, manner, and timing of death meet State criteria for an exception. States will 

have to determine. 

If response to item 37 is pending investigation, a follow up flag is set to “On.” 

If death requires referral to the ME or Coroner, no electronic signature will be allowed 

and no other items can be filled out until item 31 is changed to indicate that the ME or 

Coroner was contacted. 

PAPER RECORDS 

Records with item 37 completed with anything other than “Natural” should be reviewed 

to ensure that a ME or Coroner was either contacted or did certify the death. If not, the 

case may be referred to the ME or Coroner in the district where the death occurred, 

depending on State requirements. Otherwise, the certificate should be accepted. 

Records filed with item 37 blank are queried. The certifier must make a determination. If 

the certifier cannot make a determination as to manner of death after a complete 

investigation has been conducted and certifier is a ME or Coroner, “Could not be 

determined” should be checked. If certifier is not a ME or Coroner, the case must be 

referred to a ME or Coroner or otherwise handled according to State law. 

If response to item 37 is “Natural” but cause of death is an accident, suicide, or homicide, 

State may query certifier to determine if “Natural” is correct. 

If response to item 37 is pending investigation, a follow up flag is set to “On.” 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

See above edits for electronic records. 
Items 37, 45 

Page 6 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Must be valid codes (see below). 

If item 37 indicates the manner of death as “Natural,” then there can be (but is unlikely) 

an external cause-of-death code. If this occurs, the external cause is most likely in part II 

of the cause-of-death section. If the manner is accident, suicide, or homicide, then there 

must be an external cause of death. If manner of death could not be determined, any 

cause-of-death code is acceptable. If the cause of death is pending investigation, then the 

manner of death should be listed as pending. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 

As mentioned for item 14, States may elect to add a facility identification number field 

which could be the NPI number. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

MANNER 1 Alpha character string N, A, S, H, P, C 

 

CERT 1 Alpha character string D, P, M, O 

CERTL 30 Alpha character string Literal, blank 

Not necessary to transmit MANNER if State does its own cause-of-death processing and 

sends NCHS the output from the software. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Items 38, 39 

Page 1 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DATE OF INJURY 

 TIME OF INJURY 

Item Number: 38, 39

Description: Actual or presumed date of injury 

 Actual or presumed time of injury

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Medical Examiner or Coroner 

Other Acceptable Source: Other Certifying Physician (depending on 

 State law)

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Medical Examiner, Coroner, or Certifying Physician

If the death of this person involved an injury of any kind as indicated in item 32, either in 

parts I or II, complete items 38-44. If no injury is involved, leave items 38, 39, 41-44 

blank. Go to item 45. 

 

Print or type the month, day, and four-digit year of injury. Please spell out the month. 

Numeric abbreviations are acceptable for the day and year. 

Estimates may be provided with “Approx.” placed before the date or time. 

Print or type the hour and minute of injury. Use a 24-hour clock. 

Remember, the date of injury may differ from the date of death. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

It is proposed that Date of Injury be a three-field entry with the month, day, and year 

entered in separate fields. 
Items 38, 39 

Page 2 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Below are suggestions for these items: 

DATE OF INJURY 

Did the death of this person involve an injury of any kind as indicated in item 32, 

either in part I or part II? 

 Yes 

 No 

If the “Yes” box is checked and if the case had been referred to a Medical Examiner or 

Coroner, the Certifer will proceed to complete items 38-44. If the “Yes” boxed is 

checked, and the case had not been referred to the ME or Coroner, the following 

message appears: 

This case involved an injury and was not referred to the Medical 

Examiner/Coroner. ______State law/rules require that ........... 

Do you want to refer this case to the Medical Examiner/Coroner? 

 Yes 

 No 

If “Yes” is checked, item 31 is put in pending status and this item will be the first 

screen to appear when a certifier continues to complete the certificate. 

If the answer is “No,” the certifier is allowed to proceed. 

If the “No” box is checked in the first screen, all the injury items are skipped and the next 

item to appear on the screen is item 45. 

Check this box if date of injury cannot be determined. 

 Date of injury cannot be determined 

If checked, set all fields to 9’s. 

If Date of Injury cannot be determined, skip item 39 (Time of Injury). Go to item 40 

(Place of Injury). Automatically set Time of Injury to “cannot be determined.” 

If part of the date is known, for example month and year, enter month and year and leave 

day blank. All blanks are automatically set to 9’s when at least one part of the date is 

completed. 

When the month is to be entered, the following instruction should appear: 
Items 38, 39 

Page 3 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Enter the FULL name of the month of injury. 

Name of the month of injury ______________________ 

Day of injury__________________________________ 

Year of injury___________________________ 

It is proposed that the time of injury be a single-field entry for hour and minutes. 

TIME OF INJURY 

Check this box if the time of injury cannot be determined. 

 Time of injury cannot be determined. 

If checked, set all fields to 9’s. 

Enter the exact hour and minutes of injury or use your best estimate. 

Hour and minute of injury (use 24-hour clock) ________________ 

 

PROCESSING VARIABLES:

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

DOI_YR Year of injury 4-digit year must be less than or 

9999 equal to system year. 

DOI_MO Month of injury January 

 February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

 All 9’s Unknown 

DOI_DY Day of injury 01-31 If January 

 01-29 If February 
Items 38, 39 

Page 4 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 01-31 If March 

 01-30 If April 

 01-31 If May 

 01-30 If June 

 01-31 If July 

 01-31 If August 

 01-30 If September 

 01-31 If October 

 01-30 If November 

 01-31 If December 

 99 Unknown 

TOI_HR Time of injury 0000-2359 

 All 9’s Unknown 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State. 

Some facilities may use a 0001-2400 range in lieu of the 0000-2359 range. Based on the 

recommendation of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, it is strongly 

recommended that the 24-hour clock with the range of 0000-2359 be used. 0000 is the 

start of the new day. The recommended sequence is: 

2359 (11:59 pm) 

0000 (12 midnight) 

0001 (12:01 am) 

However, some facilities use the following sequence: 

2359 (11:59 pm) 

2400 (12 midnight) 

0001 (12:01 am). 

If month is February and day is 29, year must be a leap year. 

If any edits fail, a message will appear that shows the date and time information entered 

and a comment on invalid entries. These errors must be corrected before the record can 

be submitted. 

States also need to compare the date of injury fields to be sure it is earlier or equal to the 

date of death. 

SAMPLE ERROR MESSAGE AND QUERY SCREEN
Items 38, 39 

Page 5 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

One of the date entries is incorrect or inconsistent with other date entries. 

Please review and make any necessary changes. 

ITEM NUMBER FIELD ENTRY COMMENTS

29 Month September 

29 Day 31 Day is greater than 30 

29 Year 2002 

30 Time of Death 1748 

38 Month September 

38 Day 30 

38 Year 2003 Year of injury must be 

 before death 

39 Time of Injury 1748 

 

Before transmittal to NCHS 

The cause-of-death codes need to be examined to see if there is at least one external 

cause in either part I or part II of the certificate (item 32). If there is at least one 

external cause and item 38 contains all blanks, query the certifier to resolve. 

If there are no external causes indicated in part I or part II of item 32, set all the injury 

items (items 38-44) as blanks. 

 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

While the paper document does not have separate fields for each element of the date, it is 

recommended that the date be entered and stored as three separate fields. Time should be 

stored as a separate field. States may choose to allow entry of numeric or alphabetic 

abbreviations for month instead of typing the entire literal. 

 

TRANSLATIONS: 

If month is entered as a text entry, States will need to translate the written months into 

numeric values as follows: 

January 01 

 February 02 

 March 03 

 April 04 

 May 05 

 June 06 

 July 07 
Items 38, 39 

Page 6 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 August 08 

 September 09 

 October 10 

 November 11 

 December 12 

If states elect to use a database system that has an option of storing dates as “date type 

variables,” the system must meet the criteria listed under transmission standards. 

States will need to convert time values of 2400 to 0000.

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

 

NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES 

DOI_YR 4 Numeric character string 4-digit year, 9999 

DOI_MO 2 Numeric character string 01-12, 99 

DOI_DY 2 Numeric character string 01-31, 99 

TOI 4 Numeric character string 0000-2359, 9999 

Not necessary to transmit these variables separately if State does its own cause-of-death 

processing and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

HL 7 Transmission standards will be followed. 

Format YYYY[MM[DD[HH[mm]]]] 

Year must be fully represented with four digits. 

Software that stores dates as “date type” must be year 2000 compliant and capable of 

producing the date in the YYYY..... format and capable of producing messages in the 

HL7 EDI format. 
Item 40 

Page 1 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: PLACE OF INJURY

Item Number: 40

Description: Requests information on the type of place where 

 an injury occurred

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Medical Examiner or Coroner 

 Other Acceptable Source: Certifying Physician (depending on State law) 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Medical Examiner, Coroner, or Certifying Physician

This item is to be completed if an injury is listed in either part I or part II of item 32. This 

item is to be completed if the manner of death (item 37) is an accident, suicide, or 

homicide. 

Certifier is to enter the type of place where the injury occurred, examples include home, 

construction site, restaurant, wooded area, vacant lot. 

This item cannot be left blank. If unknown, enter “Unknown.” 

 Print or type the general type of place of injury in item 40. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Gateway to this item is through item 38. If item 38 contains any entries other than all 

blanks, item 40 should be completed. 

When the item is to be completed the following instructions should appear on the screen: 
Item 40 

Page 2 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

PLACE OF INJURY 

• Enter the type of place where the injury occurred, examples include home, 

construction site, restaurant, wooded area, vacant lot. 

• This item cannot be left blank. If unknown, enter “unknown.” 

Place of injury_________________________________

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

INJPLL Place of injury literal Literal 

INJPL Place of injury code assigned by NCHS cause-of-death coding software.

 

The literal values are to be transmitted to NCHS or put through the automated 

software for processing cause-of-death data. Edits below are to be run only with the 

coded output from the automated software for processing cause-of-death data. 

EDITS:

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

If item 37 response is accident, suicide, or homicide, there must be an entry in item 40. 

If item 38 contains any valid part of a date (not all blanks), this item must have an entry. 

PAPER RECORDS 

If item 37 response is “accident,” “suicide,” or “homicide,” there must be an entry in item 

40. 

If item 38 contains any valid part of a date (not all blanks), this item must have an entry. 

If there is a response in item 40 and no indication that an injury is recorded in item 32, 

either in part I or in part II, query. 

If item 37 (manner of death) is natural, then item 40 should be (but is not always) blank. 

If not blank and examination of the cause of death indicates a natural death, query. 
Item 40 

Page 3 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Codes (INJPL) are compared to ICD-10 codes. Allowable Place of Injury codes for 

specified ICD-10 codes are found in Table J of the NCHS instruction manual part 11. 

If there is a Place of Injury code and the ICD-10 codes (underlying or multiple) do not 

include at least one of the codes listed in table J, the record must be queried for cause of 

death and place of injury. 

If the Place of Injury code is valid but is not valid for a specific ICD-10 cause code, then 

set INJPL code to “Unknown.” 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

States should record the literal entry, both for certification purposes and for processing 

cause of death. Similar terms sometimes result in assigning different ICD-10 codes, so it 

is important to record the literal entry. 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 
Item 40 

Page 4 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

 NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES

INJPLL 50 Alpha character string literal 

Not necessary to transmit this variable if State does its own cause-of-death processing 

and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Item 41 

Page 1 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: INJURY AT WORK?

Item Number: 41

Description: Information on whether or not an injury to the deceased 

 indicated on the death certificate occurred at work. 

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Medical Examiner or Coroner 

 Other Acceptable Source: Certifying Physician (depending on State law) 

 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Medical Examiner, Coroner, or Certifying Physician

The Injury at Work item must be completed if the Manner of Death item (37) is “accident,” 

“suicide,” or “homicide” and/or there is an injury recorded in item 32, either in part I or part 

II, and the decedent is 14 years of age or older. If the decedent is less than 14 years of age, 

item 41 may be completed or left blank. 

An injury at work could occur at work regardless of whether the injury occurred in the 

course of the decedent’s “usual” occupation. 

Check the appropriate box in item 41. For examples, see instructions on death certificate. 

 Yes 

 No 

If it is not known if injury was at work, write “Unknown.” 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD:

EDR Developer

The injury at work item must be completed if accident, suicide, or homicide is selected in 

item 37 and/or any injury is mentioned in item 32, either parts I or II, and the decedent is 

14 years of age or older. If the decedent is less than 14 years of age, the item may be 

completed if warranted. 
Item 41 

Page 2 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

The gateway for appearance of this item on the EDR is through item 38 (Date of injury). 

If item 38 contains anything but all blanks, and the decedent is 14 years of age or older, 

the injury at work screen will appear.

If decedent is less than 14 years of age and item 38 is not all blanks, the following will 

appear: 

The decedent is less than 14 years of age. Completion of this field is 

appropriate only if the injury occurred at work. Check one of the two boxes 

below. 

 Completion not warranted 

 Continue with completion of this item

If the first box is selected, the item will automatically be coded to the “Not applicable” 

code. 

If the second box is selected, the item will appear.

Injury at Work? 

 Yes 

 No 

 Unknown 

The following two statements should appear on the screen when the injury at work item is 

to be completed. 

An injury at work could occur at work regardless of whether the injury 

occurred in the course of the decedent’s “usual” occupation. 

If you would like to view examples of injuries at work or injuries that should 

not be considered injuries at work please see the help menu.

 

EXAMPLES FOR THE HELP FUNCTION:

 View examples of injuries at work 

 Injury while working or in vocational training on job premises 

 Injury while on break or at lunch or in parking lot on job premises 

 Injury while working for pay or compensation, including at home 

 Injury while working as a volunteer law enforcement official etc. 

 Injury while traveling on business, including to and from business 

contacts 
Item 41 

Page 3 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 Please check this response to complete the injury at work screen 

View examples of injuries that should not be considered injuries at work

 Injury while engaged in personal recreational activity on job premises 

 Injury while a visitor (not on official work business) to job premises 

 Homemaker working at homemaking activities 

 Working for self for no profit (mowing yard, repairing own roof, hobby) 

 Student in school 

 Commuting to or from work 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

WORKINJ Injury at work? Y Yes 

 N No 

 U Unknown (not classifiable) 

 X Not applicable 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

Electronic record must contain one of the valid responses indicated above. Certifer can 

leave blank and tab to the next item, but a pending flag will be set. If item is left blank, 

before the record can be transmitted a screen will appear asking that the item be 

completed at this time. Record cannot be printed or filed until this item is complete. If 

“Not warranted” is selected, item 41 will be coded to “Not applicable.” If the item is 

skipped due to skip pattern initiated in item 38, item will be automatically assigned the 

“Not applicable” code. 

PAPER RECORDS 

 

Records should be queried if the injury at work item is blank when manner of death is 

accident, suicide, or homicide and/or there is an injury noted in item 32, part I or part II, 

and the decedent is 14 years of age or greater. If no response to query, assign the 

“Unknown” code. 

If manner of death is natural and an external cause of death is indicated in the cause-ofdeath section, query the record for cause of death, manner of death, and all appropriate 

items in the range of items numbers 37-44. If no response, code to “Unknown.” 
Item 41 

Page 4 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Must be a valid code (see below). 

If response is coded to Y (Yes), the record must have an external cause-of-death code in 

either Part I or Part II of item 32. If the edit fails, query. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. This variable 

does not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through the 

automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

WORKINJ 1 Alpha character string Y, N, U, X 

 

Not necessary to transmit this variable if State does its own cause-of-death processing 

and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

 
Item 42 

Page 1 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: LOCATION OF INJURY

Item Number: 42

Description: The geographic location where the injury occurred. 

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Medical Examiner or Coroner 

 Other Acceptable Source: Certifying Physician (depending on State law) 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Medical Examiner, Coroner, or Certifying Physician

Item must be completed if response to item 37 is “accident,” “suicide,” or “homicide,” 

and/or there is an injury recorded in item 32, part I or part II. 

Item must be completed if item 38 has any entry other than blank. 

 

This is the address where the injury occurred. Fill in as many of the items as is 

known. If any of the location fields are not known, leave blank. 

Location-Street Address & Apt Number

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, print the prefix prior to the name. 

If the “street” name has a direction after the name, print the suffix after the name. 

Examples: South Main Street 

Walker Street NW 

Print or type the building number. 

Print or type the “street” name including pre-or post-directionals and the “street 

designator.” Examples of the street designator are words like street, avenue, road, 

circle, court, etc. 

 Print or type the apartment or room number. 

 

Location-State 
Item 42 

Page 2 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Print or type the USA State or territory or Canadian province where the injury 

occurred. 

Location -City or Town 

 

Print or type the name of the city, town, or other place where the injury occurred. 

Location-zip code 

 Print or type the 9-digit zip code. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Item must be completed if response to item 37 is accident, suicide, or homicide, and/or 

there is an injury recorded in item 32, part I or part II. 

Item must be completed if item 38 has an entry other than blank. 

 

Suggested method 

The following instruction should appear when the item is to be completed. 

Location of Injury 

This is the address where the injury occurred. Fill in as many of the items as 

is known. If any of the location fields are not known, leave blank. 

If none of the location items are known, check the “Location unknown” box 

below. 

 Location unknown 

If this box is checked, all items are assigned the “Unknown” code. 

Preferred method for recording street address. 

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix in the space 

labeled “pre-directional.” If the “street” name has a direction after the name, 

enter the suffix in the space labeled “post-directional.” 

Examples: South Main Street. Enter the name as Main and the pre- 

 direction as South. 
Item 42 

Page 3 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Walker Street NW. Enter the name as Walker and NW in the 

post-directional space. 

 If there are no pre-or post-directions, leave these spaces blank. 

Second option for recording street address 

If the “street” name has a direction as a prefix, enter the prefix as part of the 

“street” name and in front of the name. If the “street” name has a direction after 

the name, enter the suffix after the “street” name. 

Examples: South Main Street. Enter the name as South Main. 

Walker Street NW. Enter the name as Walker NW. 

Location-Street Address & Apt Number 

 

Preferred option 

 Building number_______ 

 Pre-directional_______________________ 

 Name of the “street”__________________ 

 “Street” designator ______________ 

 Post-directional ______________ 

 Apartment or room number______________ 

Second Option 

Building number_______ 

 Name of the “street”__________________ 

 “Street” designator ______________ 

Apartment or room number______________ 

Examples of the “street” designator are words like street, avenue, road, circle, 

court, etc. 

Location-State 

USA State or territory or Canadian province where the injury occurred. 

____________________(State, territory, province) 

Location -City or Town 

 

Name of the city, town, or other place where the injury occurred. 

_____________________(city, town or other place) 
Item 42 

Page 4 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Location-Zip Code 

9 digit ZIP code. ____________ 

All blank fields will be assigned the “Unknown” code. 

 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

ISTNUM Street number 

IPREDIR Pre-directional 

ISTNAME Street name 

ISTDESIG Street designator 

IPOSTDIR Post-directional 

IUNUM Unit or apartment number 

IPNAME City or town name 

IZIP9 Zip code 

ISTATE State/Province 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

1. If city is known and State is unknown, then use a listing of cities to assign a State 

if and only if the city is unique. Otherwise leave blank. 

2. Check city and town names in FIPS 55-3 name table. If not in table and if it is an 

electronic record, the following message should appear: 

“The city or town was not found, please enter again.” 

If the edit fails again, code city to “Unknown.” Keep the literals. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that States keep this information in as detailed a format as possible. 

See the recommended electronic format below. For data collected on paper records, 

keying instructions need to reflect the detail of the electronic record. 
Item 42 

Page 5 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

For the purpose of recording and printing certified copies from the electronic file and for 

geo-coding the record, it is recommended that the address field be separated into the 

fields as described below. These fields generally correspond to the CDC-HISSB 

recommendations. However, field lengths do not correspond to the CDC-HISSB 

standards because the literal entries need to be captured. They can then be transposed to 

abbreviations for purposes of compacting the file using standard abbreviations as 

recommended in the HISSB standards. 

Suggested field names are: 

DESCRIPTION NAME LENGTH 

Street number ISTNUM 10 

Pre-directional IPREDIR 10 

 Street name ISTNAME 28 

 Street designator ISTDESIG 10 

 Post-directional IPOSTDIR 10 

 Unit or apartment number IUNUM 4 

 City or town name IPNAME 28 

 Zip code IZIP9 9 

 State/Province ISTATE 28 

 

States may also opt to retain coded fields as well as the literal entries. If coded fields are 

maintained as well, there are HISSB and FIPS standards that should be used. City codes 

are FIPS 55-3 codes shown in Appendix C. State and Province codes are FIPS 5-2 twocharacter codes for the USA and its territories and two-character for the provinces and 

territories of Canada (see Appendix D). 

“Incremental browsing” may be used to facilitate quicker selection of the location. 

Incremental bowsing refers to the process in which the keyer enters the first or so letter of 

the state, territory or country and the system automatically presents the list of places 

beginning with that letter(s). The keyer then can more readily select the correct locale 

without typing in the rest of the word. For example, for birthplace, when the keyer enters 

the letter “C: the system would automatically go to where “Cambodia” is on the list. If 

the keyer enters the letters “Ch,” the system would automatically go to where “Chad” is 

on the list. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

It is not anticipated that these variables will be transmitted to NCHS. The 

recommendations are for States that may want to geo-code these locations for injury 

prevention and analysis purposes. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 
Item 42 

Page 6 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

No standards set yet. 
Item 43 

Page 1 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DESCRIBE HOW INJURY OCCURRED

Item Number: 43

Description: Information on how the injury occurred is requested in 

narrative form.

Source of Information: 

 Preferred source: Medical Examiner or Coroner 

 Other Acceptable Source: Certifying Physician (depending on State law)

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Medical Examiner, Coroner, or Certifying Physician 

Item is to be completed if response to item 37 is accident, suicide, or homicide and/or 

there is an injury reported in item 32, part I or part II. If item 38 contains any part of a 

date, this item is to be completed. 

Certifier is to print or type in narrative form a description of how the injury occurred.

When relevant to injury, specify the type of gun (e.g., handgun, hunting rifle) or type of 

vehicle (e.g., automobile, pickup truck, bulldozer, train). If more than one vehicle was 

involved, specify number and types of vehicles and which vehicle the decedent was in. 

This item cannot be left blank. If not known, enter “Unknown.” 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Gateway to this item is through item 38 (Date of Injury). If Item 38 contains any part of 

a date, this item is to be completed. 

Also, item is to be completed if response to item 37 is “accident,” “suicide,” or 

“homicide” and/or there is an injury reported in item 32, part I or part II. 
Item 43 

Page 2 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

SUGGESTED METHOD 

The following instructions should appear when this item is to be completed: 

DESCRIBE HOW THE INJURY OCCURRED 

Certifier is to enter in narrative form a specific description of how the injury 

occurred. 

When relevant to injury, specify the type of gun (e.g., handgun, hunting rifle) 

or type of vehicle (e.g., automobile, pickup truck, bulldozer, train). If more 

than one vehicle was involved, specify number and types of vehicles and 

which vehicle the decedent was in. 

This item cannot be left blank. If not known, enter “Unknown.” 

Please describe how the injury occurred.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________ 

 

This literal entry will be processed as part of the NCHS automated software for coding 

cause of death and the data transmitted to NCHS as part of the output from that software. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

LINJURY Literal 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 
Item 43 

Page 3 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

None at this time. 

PAPER RECORDS 

None at this time. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Must be valid codes (see below). 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS

States should record the literal entry for the injury description and maintain that entry in 

their electronic file for certification purposes as well as for automated cause-of-death 

processing. States will need a literal field of at least 250 characters for this entry. 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

LINJURY 250 Alpha character string literal 

Not necessary to transmit this variable if State does its own cause-of-death processing 

and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 44 

Page 1 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: IF TRANSPORTATION INJURY, SPECIFY

Item Number: 44

Description: Information on the role of the decedent involved in a 

transportation accident. 

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Medical Examiner or Coroner 

 Other Acceptable Source: Certifying Physician (depending on State law)

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Medical Examiner, Coroner, or Certifying Physician

Check the box that best describes the role of the decedent in the transportation accident. 

This item cannot be left blank. If unknown, print or type in “Unknown.” 

 Driver/Operator 

 Passenger 

 Pedestrian 

 Other (Specify)_____________ 

“Other (Specify)” applies to anything to do with watercraft or with aircraft, anything 

having to do with animals, (e.g., rider), anything to do with persons who have attached 

themselves to the outside of vehicles but are not bonafide passengers or drivers (e.g., 

“surfers.”) 
Item 44 

Page 2 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

The gateway for this item is through item 38. 

The instructions should appear when the item is to be completed using the list of choices 

below: 

Transportation Accident 

Certifier is to enter the role of the decedent in the transportation accident. 

This item cannot be left blank. If unknown, check the “Unknown” button. 

“Other (Specify)” applies to anything to do with watercraft or with aircraft, 

anything having to do with animals, (e.g., rider), anything to do with persons who 

have attached themselves to the outside of vehicles but are not bonafide passengers 

or drivers (e.g., “surfers.”) 

 Driver/Operator 

 Passenger 

 Pedestrian 

 Other (Specify) 

 Unknown 

 Not applicable 

If the “Other (Specify)” response is selected, the following message appears: 

Please enter the other role of the decedent in the transportation accident. 

 ___________________________________________________________

 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

TRANSP Role of the decedent 

 in the traffic accident 

DR Driver/Operator 

PA Passenger 

PE Pedestrian 

OT Other 
Item 44 

Page 3 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

TRANSPL Other (specify) Literal 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

If a vehicle is involved (see Appendix J) in the injury as recorded in item 43, a response 

to item 44 is required. 

PAPER RECORDS 

If a vehicle is involved (see Appendix J) in the injury as recorded in item 43, a response 

to item 44 is required. 

 

If there is a response in item 44 but no indication of a transportation accident in item 43 

or in item 32, part I or part II, query. If no response to query, code to “Not applicable.” 

If item 44 is blank and a transportation accident is indicated in item 43 or item 32, part I 

or part II, query. If no response to query, assign the “Unknown” code. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

Must be a valid code (see below). 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that States record the literal entry for the “Other (Specify)” entry and 

maintain that entry in their electronic file for certification purposes. 

The outputs from the EDR can interface with the NCHS software for processing causeof-death data (ACME, TRANSAX, MICAR, and SuperMICAR). This can be done using 

the input file record format for the highest-end program that the State uses. These 

variables do not need to be transmitted to NCHS if the information has been fed through 

the automated software and the output files have been transmitted to NCHS. 
Item 44 

Page 4 of 4 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAME LENGTH TYPE VALUES

TRANSP 2 Alpha character string DR, PA, PE, OT 

TRANSPL 30 Alpha character string Literal 

Not necessary to transmit these variables separately if State does its own cause-of-death 

processing and sends NCHS the output from the software. 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 46 part 1 

Page 1 of 2 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: NAME, ADDRESS, AND ZIP CODE OF 

PERSON COMPLETING THE CAUSE OF 

DEATH (ITEM 32) (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

 

Item Number: 46 

Description: The name of the person completing the cause of death 

(item 32)

Sources of Information:

Preferred Source: The person that completed the cause of 

death (item 32) 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Print or type the name of the person completing the cause of death(item 

32).

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

If an electronic signature is being captured for item 45 then this field can be autofilled through a table look up. 

 

Enter the name of the person completing the cause of death(item 32).

EDR Developer 

The paper death certificate does not have separate boxes for the names of the person 

completing the cause of death (item 32). 

The EDR should have at a minimum separate fields for the first /middle name(s), last 

name(s) (surname). 

Developers may want to record or separate first and middle names depending on state 

requirements. 

Developers may elect to record the names in separate fields or to parse the names after 

entry to a single field to separate the first/middle(s) from the last name. 
Item 46 part 1 

Page 2 of 2 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES 

 

CERTNAME First name and middle name 100 Alpha characters 

CERTLNAME Last name 50 Alpha characters 

BOTH ELECTRONIC AND PAPER RECORDS 

Name fields must contain English alphabetic characters and any accent marks or special 

characters as determined by the state. 

There must be an entry in the last name field. The first/middle name field can be blank 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

It is recommended that states keep name information in as detailed a format as possible. 

For data collected on paper records, keying instructions need to be the same as those for 

the electronic record. 
Item 46 part 2 

Page 1 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: NAME, ADDRESS, AND ZIP CODE OF 

PERSON COMPLETING THE CAUSE OF 

DEATH (ITEM 32) (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.) 

Item Number: 46 

Description: The address (business) of the person completing the 

cause of death (item 32). 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: The person completing the cause of death

INSTRUCTIONS: 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

This is the business address of the person completing the cause of death 

Print or type the number of building, any suite or office number, then 

the name of any pre-direction, then the street name, along with any 

post-directions, then the street designator. 

Examples of street designator are words like Street, Avenue, Road, 

Circle, Court etc. 

Print or type the name of the city, town, or other location. 

Print or type the USA State or Territory. 

 

Print or type the 5 digit Zip code or 9 digit Zip code if known. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

If an electronic signature is being captured for item 45 then this field can be auto-filled 

through a table look up. 

EDR Developer 
Item 46 part 2 

Page 2 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Data entry should be set up in the order identified below corresponding to 

item 46 on the certificate. When some items are to be completed, specific 

instructions are required to appear; preferably in a pop up that does not 

obscure the item completion area. This item could be auto filled once the 

certifier is identified either by license number or name. If the fields are not 

auto filled, incremental browsing of possible entries for the names of the 

city, town, or location as well as the U.S. State or Territory is acceptable. 

. 

1. Complete number and street name :__________________________ 

2. Suite or Office number:______________ 

 3. Name of the city, town, or location:_____________ 

 4. State, or U.S. Territory:___________________ 

 5. Zip code:______________ 

When item 2 “Suite or Office Number” is to be completed, the following 

instruction should appear. 

If there is no suite or office number, leave the item blank. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES:

NAME DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES

CSTNAME Complete number and street name 70 Alpha character 

CSUITE Suite or office number 7 Alpha character 

CCITY City or Town name 28 Alpha character 

CSTATE State, or Territory 28 Alpha character 

CZIP Zip Code 9 Numeric character 

 

EDITS 

1. Check for valid zip code. 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

For data collected on paper records, keying instructions need to reflect the detail of the 

electronic record. 

States may also opt to retain coded fields as well as the literal entries. If coded fields are 

maintained as well, ISO standards should be used. See the translation below. 

TRANSLATIONS 
Item 46 part 2 

Page 3 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Response Mapping (examples) if states elect to code this item 

Response Maps to values

State or Territory Name FIPS 5-2 two character codes (Appendix B) 

City/Town, Location Name FIPS 55-3 five digit place codes 

 (Appendix C) 
Item 48 

Page 1 of 2 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: LICENSE NUMBER (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Number: 48 

Description: License number of person certifying the cause of death. 

Source of Information:

 Preferred Source: Person certifying the cause of death 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Print or type the license number of the person certifying the cause of death (item 32) in 

the space provided (item48). 

If not licensed, print or type (no license). 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

If an electronic signature is being captured for item 45 then this field can be auto-filled 

through a table look up. 

EDR Developer 

In developing item 45, EDR developers should have a table of licensed and non-licensed 

professions that are allowed to certify the cause of death in the state. This table is also 

needed to validate the certifier’s license number. 

Developers should check the response to item 45 as to whether or not the certifier has a 

license. This would only occur in states where, by law or rule a non-licensed person is 

authorized to certify the cause of death. See description for item 45. 

If the response to item 45 indicates the individual is licensed, the entry screen should 

request the license number of the licensee authorized to certify the cause of death. 

If the response to item 45 indicates the certifier is not licensed, then this item should be 

left blank. 

States may elect to use a provider’s NPI number, a state license number or both. 

PROCESSING VARIABLE: 
Item 48 

Page 2 of 2 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

NAMES DESCRIPTION LENGTH VALUES 

CLICNUM License number 12 Alpha character 

 

EDITS: 

PAPER RECORDS 

Depending on state laws and rules, records should be queried if there is a signature in 

item 45 and license number (item 48) is blank. 

Licensee number must be a valid number license number for type of profession. 

 ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

If certifier is licensed, the license number must be a valid number license number for the 

type of profession (item 45). 

If the certifier is not licensed (item 45), the field should be blank. 

Depending on state laws and rules the record may or may not be acceptable for filing 

when this occurs. 

 

 

 
Item 49 

Page 1 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DATE CERTIFIED (Item is not part of the NCHS data set.)

Item Number: 49 

Description: The date the death record is certified 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Certifier

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

 

Print or type the month, day, and four digit year the death is certified. Standard numeric 

abbreviations are NOT acceptable. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

If an electronic signature is being captured for item 45 then this field can be autofilled. 

EDR Developer (Instructions are in italics) 

The Date Certified item is a three-field entry with the month, day, and year entered in 

separate fields. 

Month certified___ ___ 

Day certified___ ___ 

Year certified___ ___ ___ ___ 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES LENGTH DEFINITIONS 

CERT_YR Year certified 4 digit year 4 4 digit year 

 

CERT_MO Month certified 01 2 January 

 02 February 

 03 March 
Item 49 

Page 2 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 04 April 

 05 May 

 06 June 

 07 July 

 08 August 

 09 September 

 10 October 

 11 November 

 12 December, 

CERT_DY Day certified 01-31 2 January 1-31 

 February 1-29 

 March 1-31 

 April 1-30 

 May 1-31 

 June 1-30 

 July 1-31 

 August 1-31 

 September 1-30 

 October 1-31 

 November 1-30 

 December 1-31 

 

 

EDITS: 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

If month is February and day = 29, Date Certified should be a leap year. If not, an error 

message should appear and ask that the date be corrected. 

Date Certified must be the same as or later than the Date Pronounced Dead (Item 24) 

and the same as or earlier than the Date Filed By Registrar (Item 50). 

PAPER RECORDS 

For paper records, the same edits are applied. Edits failed after re-entry through the edit 

screens will result in a listing of items to be queried and the item will be given a pending 

query status. 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

While the paper document does not have separate fields for each element of the date, it is 

recommended that the date be entered and stored as three separate fields. 
Item 49 

Page 3 of 3 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If states elect to use a database system that has an option of storing dates as “date type 

variables,” then the system must meet the criteria listed under transmission standards. 
Item 51 

Page 1 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DECEDENT’S EDUCATION

Item Number: 51

Description: The highest degree or level of schooling completed by 

the decedent. 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR BOTH PAPER AND ELECTRONIC RECORDS:

Funeral Director 

Hand the informant the education level selection card (Appendix G) and ask the 

informant to choose the category that, to the best of his or her knowledge, describes the 

highest education level achieved by the decedent. If the respondent does not know or is 

not sure, select “Unknown” (electronic) or type or print “Unknown” (paper). If the 

respondent refuses, select “Refused” (electronic) or type or write in the box “Refused” 

(paper). If there is no informant, or for some other reason the information is not 

available, select “Not Obtainable” (electronic) or type or write in the box “Not available” 

(paper). 

For electronic records, select the response that the informant gives you. For example, if 

the respondent answers “high school,” select “High school graduate or GED completed.” 

For a paper record, mark the correct check box. 

If the respondent indicates that the decedent has a degree that is not listed on the card, 

select “Not Classifiable.” On a paper record, write in “Not Classifiable.” 

IN NO CASE SHOULD THE ITEM BE LEFT BLANK

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Decedent’s education level is chosen from the list below and the instructions should 

appear when the item is to be completed. 

Decedent’s Education 
Item 51 

Page 2 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Check the box that best describes the highest degree or level of school 

completed by the decedent. 

 8th grade or less 

 9th-12th grade; no diploma 

 High school graduate or GED completed 

 Some college credit, but no degree 

 Associate degree (e.g. AA, AS) 

 Bachelor’s degree (e.g. BA, AB, BS) 

 Master’s degree (e.g. MA, MS, MEng, MEd, 

MSW, MBA) 

 Doctorate (e.g. PhD, EdD) or Professional degree 

(e.g. MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD) 

 Refused 

 Not Obtainable 

 Unknown 

 Not Classifiable 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

DEDUC Education 1 8th grade or less 

2 9th through 12th grade; no 

diploma 

3 High school graduate or GED 

completed 

4 Some college credit, but no 

degree 

5 Associate degree (e.g., AA, 

AS) 

6 Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, 

AB, BS) 

7 Master’s degree (e.g., MA, 

MS, MEng, Med, MSW, 

MBA) 

8 Doctorate degree (e.g., PhD, 

EdD) or professional degree 

(e.g., MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, 

JD) 

9 Unknown 
Item 51 

Page 3 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

DEDUC_MVR Companion missing value 

variable 

S Sought but unknown 

(informant does not know) 

R Refused (informant refuses) 

C Not obtainable (no informant 

or e.g. found unidentified 

body) 

E Obtained but response does 

not fit classification scheme 

DEDUC_BYPASS Edit flag 0 OFF (edit passed) 

1 ON (edit failed, data queried 

and verified) 

2 ON (edit failed, data queried 

but not verified) 

3 ON (edit failed, review 

needed) 

4 ON (edit failed, query 

needed) (paper only) 

If “Refused,” “Not Obtainable,” “Unknown,” or “Not Classifiable” is selected, assign 

the appropriate code for DEDUC_MVR (above) and the value “9” to DEDUC. 

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

At the time of input to an EDR or electronic work sheet, the date of death will be entered 

by the funeral director. The decedent’s age will be calculated and stored as a temporary 

variable for the purposes of this edit. It will be replaced when the Date of Death (Item 

29) is completed by the certifying physician/coroner and a new age will be calculated. 

Age checks should use calculated age. If age/education edit indicates a discrepancy, the 

education information needs to be reviewed. The calculated and reported age should 

have already been checked for consistency. 

Valid codes 1-8 (See processing variables for detail) 

 Values Minimum Age 

 

1 None 

2 9 

3 16 

4 17 

5 18 
Item 51 

Page 4 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

6 20 

7 21 

8 23 

9 None 

If DEDUC is “9,” must have a valid missing value companion variable code if states 

elect to have a missing value variable. (See State file considerations section.) 

SAMPLE ERROR MESSAGE AND QUERY SCREEN 

The data entered in the electronic certificate indicates an unusual level of 

education for a decedent of this age. 

Decedent’s education level is: ______________________________________ 

 Please check one of the boxes below. 

 Incorrect 

 Correct 

 Not able to verify 

If “Correct” is checked, the bypass flag is set to ON-1. 

If “Not able to verify” is checked, the bypass flag is set to ON-2. 

If “Incorrect” is selected, pull up the decedent’s education level selection list and ask 

that an education level be selected. If the edit fails, reset bypass flag to ON-1. If the edit 

passes, reset bypass flag to OFF-0. 

Edit bypass flags 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

Edit bypass is defaulted to OFF-0 and remains as such unless changed through the edit 

screen responses. Bypass flag is reset to OFF-0 if new data are entered through the 

edit/query process and they pass the edit. 

When the edit is run and the item fails the edit, the bypass flag is set to a value of ON-3 

(see detail above). If the data pass the edit, the bypass flag remains OFF–0. 

If the edit fails and the funeral director is unable to verify the data then he/she should 

indicate “Not verifiable” and the edit bypass flag is set to ON-2. The companion missing 

value variable (DEDUC_MVR) is set to “E.” 

If the edit fails and the funeral director checks “Correct,” the edit bypass flag is set to 

ON –1.
Item 51 

Page 5 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If “Not correct” is selected and the edit still fails after the funeral director selects an 

education level from the list, the bypass flag is set to ON-1. 

PAPER RECORD 

The initial edit will catch only keying errors. If the edit fails, the bypass flag is set to ON3 and a message appears indicating a discrepancy between age and education. The 

keyer is asked to re-enter the data. If the edit passes, the bypass flag is reset to OFF-0. If 

the data still fail the edit, the bypass flag is set to ON-4 meaning that a query to the 

funeral director is needed. 

If the edit fails and the funeral director verifies the data, the edit bypass flag is set to 

ON –1. 

If the edit fails and the funeral director is unable to verify the data, the edit bypass flag is 

set to ON-2. The companion missing value variable (DEDUC_MVR) is set to “E.” 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

State files will need a field for the education variable and an edit bypass flag variable. 

Because of the possibility of responses such as “Refused,” “Not known,” and “Not 

obtainable,” a missing value variable (DEDUC_MVR) is recommended to keep track of 

these responses for intervention or follow-up training as appropriate. The companion 

missing value variable (DEDUC_MVR) is described in the processing variable section. 

The education item represents the highest number of years of formal education completed 

and is recorded as a numeric value. Most states currently edit this item only for valid 

codes; others do a cross-edit with age. The most common edit is age minus education 

level should be greater than or equal to 4. The new certificate has categories of education 

indicating the highest level of education achieved or degree received. It will no longer be 

a numeric value and mapping from the old values to the new categories is not one-to-one. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

 NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

DEDUC 1 Numeric character string 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 

DEDUC_BYPASS 1 Numeric character string 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

EDI TRANSMISSION: 
Item 51 

Page 6 of 6 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

No standards set yet. 
Item 52 

Page 1 of 5 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DECEDENT OF HISPANIC ORIGIN?

Item Number: 52

Description: The Hispanic origin of the decedent.

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR BOTH PAPER AND ELECTRONIC RECORDS:

Funeral Director 

ASK: Please look at this card and tell me which response best describes the Hispanic 

origin of ______. 

PAPER RECORD 

Funeral Director

Hispanic refers to people whose origins are from Spain, Mexico, or the Spanish-speaking 

Caribbean Islands or countries of Central or South America. Origin includes ancestry, 

nationality, and lineage. There is no set rule about how many generations are to be taken 

into account in determining Hispanic origin; it may be based on the country of origin of a 

parent, grandparent, or some far-removed ancestor. Other Hispanic groups may be 

specified under “other.” 

Based on the informant’s response, check the appropriate boxes in the listing on the 

certificate. If informant chooses more than one response, mark all boxes that apply; for 

example “Mexican” and “Cuban,” choose both responses. If the respondent indicates an 

ethnic origin not on the list, it should be recorded in the “Specify” space. Enter the 

informant’s response even if it is not a Hispanic origin. 

 

 No, Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino 

 Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano 

 Yes, Puerto Rican 

 Yes, Cuban 
Item 52 

Page 2 of 5 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 Yes, Other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino 

(Specify)________________________ 

If the informant does not know, print “Unknown.” 

If there is no informant, print “Not obtainable.” 

If respondent refuses, print “Refused.” 

ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Hispanic origin will be selected from a menu list (below). The instructions should appear 

with the menu. 

Hispanic refers to people whose origins are from Spain, Mexico, or the 

Spanish-speaking Caribbean Islands or countries of Central or South 

America. Origin includes ancestry, nationality, and lineage. There is no set 

rule about how many generations are to be taken into account in determining 

Hispanic origin; it may be based on the country of origin of a parent, 

grandparent, or some far-removed ancestor. Other Hispanic groups may be 

specified under “other.” 

Based on the informant’s response, select the appropriate responses from the 

following menu. If the respondent chooses more than one response, for 

example Mexican and Cuban, choose both responses. If the respondent 

indicates an ethnic origin not on the list, it should be recorded in the 

“Specify” space. Enter the informant’s response even if it is not an Hispanic 

origin. 

 DECEDENT OF HISPANIC ORIGIN 

  No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino 

 Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano 

 Yes, Puerto Rican 

 Yes, Cuban 

 Yes, Other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino 

 Unknown if Spanish/Hispanic/Latino 

 Not obtainable 

 Refused 

If “Yes, Other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino” is selected, the following message will appear: 
Item 52 

Page 3 of 5 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Please enter the specified “Other Hispanic” origin. 

Other:________________________ 

States may give examples of the largest “Other Hispanic” origin groups for that State. 

Because informants may report more than one ethnicity, there needs to be a separate 

field for each of the 4 categories plus a 20-character field in which to enter the “Other 

(Specify)” response. 

When the “No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino” response is chosen, each of the Hispanic 

origin fields will be automatically coded with the “No, not Hispanic” code. When the 

keyer moves to another item and at least one Hispanic category is selected, all the 

Hispanic selections that were not chosen will be automatically coded with the “No, not 

Hispanic” code. 

 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

DETHNIC1 Mexican, Mexican Ameri- N No, not Mexican 

 can or Chicano H Yes, Mexican 

 U Unknown 

DETHNIC2 Puerto Rican N No, not Puerto Rican 

H Yes, Puerto Rican 

 U Unknown 

DETHNIC3 Cuban N No, not Cuban 

H Yes, Cuban 

 U Unknown 

DETHNIC4 Other N No, not other Hispanic 

H Yes, other Hispanic 

 U Unknown 

DETHNIC5 Other literal entry literal 

(blank) 

ETHNIC_MVR Missing value R Refused 

 S Sought but unknown 

 C Not obtainable 
Item 52 

Page 4 of 5 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

Electronic record must contain one or more valid responses as indicated above. If not, a 

query message appears before the record can be printed or filed. A replica of the entry 

screen appears and indicates that one of the categories below must be selected before the 

record can be printed or filed. If states elect to use a missing value variable 

(ETHNIC_MVR) for this item, it must have a valid missing value code when the ethnicity 

values are coded to “Unknown.” 

If "Unknown if Spanish/Hispanic/Latino" is checked, assign the value "S" to the MVR 

variable and "U" to all other variables. If "Not obtainable" is checked, assign the value 

"C" to the MVR variable and "U" to all other variables. If the "Refused" box is checked, 

assign the value "R" to the MVR variable and "U" to all other variables. 

PAPER RECORDS 

Records filed with no entry are queried. If there is no response to the query, code to 

“Unknown.” 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

For records indicating more than one Hispanic origin, all codes will be transmitted to 

NCHS. 

All “Other (Specify)” literals will be reviewed to see if they are of Hispanic origin (see 

Appendix G). If the literal is in the Appendix and of Hispanic origin, the value of the 

variable, DETHNIC4, will be set to “H,” other Hispanic origin. If not, it will be set to 

“N,” “No, not other Hispanic” origin. 

Must be valid codes (see above). 

 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

States opting to electronically code any of the “Other (Specify)” responses to the 

Hispanic origin question might want to consider using the CDC-HISSB standard coding 

structure for ethnicity. A field would have to be added to record these codes, and the 

codes then collapsed into the DVS/NCHS structure for transmission. 

Because of the possibility of responses such as “Refused,” “Unknown,” and “Not 

obtainable,” a missing value variable is recommended to keep track of these responses for 

intervention or follow-up training as appropriate. All these codes will result in an 
Item 52 

Page 5 of 5 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

“Unknown” code for each of the ethnicity fields. The recommended variable name is 

ETHNIC_MVR. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

DETHNIC1 1 Alpha character string N, H, U 

DETHNIC2 1 Alpha character string N, H, U 

DETHNIC3 1 Alpha character string N, H, U 

DETHNIC4 1 Alpha character string N, H, U 

DETHNIC5 20 Alpha character string literal, blank

Any of the Hispanic variables may have an “H” code. If the decedent is not Hispanic, all 

codes must be “N’s.” If the response is “Refused,” “Unknown,” or “Not obtainable,” all 

fields must be “U.” 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 

As a coding service, NCHS can provide the coded Hispanic Origin literals. See 

Appendix G for current codes. 
Item 53 

Page 1 of 9 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Title: DECEDENT ’S RACE 

Item Number: 53 

Description: The race(s) that best describes what the decedent 

considered himself/herself to be. 

Source of Information: 

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER OR ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

Funeral Director 

ASK: Please look at this card (Appendix H). Please indicate one or more races to 

describe the race or races ___________thought himself (herself)to be. 

PAPER RECORD: 

Based on the informant’s response, check all appropriate responses on the certificate. If 

the respondent chooses more than one response, check all that are reported; for example, 

if “Black ” and “Chinese ” are reported, check both boxes. 

If there is no informant or other reliable source of this information, print “Not 

obtainable.” If the respondent does not know, print “Unknown.” If the respondent 

refuses, print “Refused.” 

If the informant has named one or more racial responses for which no check box has been 

checked or seems appropriate, select the “other ” check box and enter the literal (written) 

responses. 

If American Indian is selected, ASK: 

Can you tell me with what tribe _________was affiliated? 

Print the name(s) of the tribe(s) in the space provided. 

If the informant does not know, print “Unknown.” 
Item 53 

Page 2 of 9 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If the informant refuses, print “Refused.” 

If “Other Asian” is selected, ASK: 

Can you tell me what Asian race_________considered himself (herself) to 

be? 

Print the name(s) of the race(s) in the space provided. 

If the informant does not know, print “Unknown.” 

If the informant refuses, print “Refused.” 

If “Other Pacific Islander” is selected, ASK: 

Can you tell me what Pacific Islander race_________considered himself 

(herself) to be? 

Print the name(s) of the race(s) in the space provided. 

If the informant does not know, print “Unknown.” 

If the informant refuses, print “Refused.” 

If “Other” is selected, ASK: 

Can you tell me what other race_________considered himself (herself) to 

be? 

Print the name(s) of the race(s) in the space provided. 

If informant indicates Hispanic, print the specific Hispanic origin even though 

this has already been noted in the previous item. 

If the informant does not know, print “Unknown.” 

If the informant refuses, print “Refused.” 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

The item is completed by selecting one or more races from the menu. The instructions 

should appear when the item is to be completed. 

Based on the informant’s response, select all the appropriate responses from 
Item 53 

Page 3 of 9 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

the following menu. If the respondent chooses more than one response, 

check all that are reported; for example, if “Black” and “Chinese” are 

reported, select both responses. If there is no informant or other reliable 

source for this information, check “Not obtainable.” If the informant 

refuses, check “Refused.” If the informant does not know, check 

“Unknown.” When all the races the informant has indicated are checked, 

check the “done ” box. 

If the informant has named one or more racial responses for which no check 

box has been checked or seems appropriate, select the “other” check box and 

enter the literal (written) responses. 

Menu 

DECEDENT ’ S RACE 

 White 

 Black or African American 

 American Indian or Alaskan Native 

 Asian Indian 

 Chinese 

 Filipino 

 Japanese 

 Korean 

 Vietnamese 

 Other Asian 

 Native Hawaiian 

 Guamanian or Chamorro 

 Samoan 

 Other Pacific Islander 

 Other 

 Unknown 

 Not obtainable 

 Refused 

 Check this box when done 

If “American Indian” is selected, a message will appear asking to specify the tribe(s). 

American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe 

Please specify with what tribe(s)_________was affiliated. 

Name of the first tribe:__________________ 
Item 53 

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5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Name of the second tribe:_________________ 

If the informant does not know, enter “Unknown.” 

If the informant refuses, enter “Refused.” 

If “Other Asian” is selected, a message will appear asking to specify the other Asian 

race(s). 

Other Asian Race 

Please specify the Asian race_________considered himself (herself) to be. 

Name of the first race:__________________ 

Name of the second race:________________ 

If the informant does not know, enter “Unknown.” 

If the informant refuses, enter “Refused.” 

Other Pacific Islander 

If “Other Pacific Islander” is selected, a message will appear asking to specify the other 

Pacific Islander race(s). 

Please specify the Pacific Islander race_________considered himself (herself) to 

be. 

Name of the first race:___________________ 

Name of the second race:_________________ 

If the informant does not know, enter “Unknown.” 

If the informant refuses, enter “Refused.” 

Other Race 

If “Other” is selected, a message will appear asking to specify the other race. 

Please specify the race_________considered himself (herself) to be. 

Name of the first race:___________________ 
Item 53 

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5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Name of the second race:________________ 

If informant indicates Hispanic, record the specific Hispanic origin even though 

this has already been noted in the previous item. 

If the informant does not know, enter “Unknown.” 

If the informant refused, enter “Refused.” 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

RACE1 White checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE2 Black or African American Y Box for race checked 

 checkbox N Box for race not checked 

RACE3 American Indian or Y Box for race checked 

Alaska Native checkbox N Box for race not checked 

RACE4 Asian Indian checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE5 Chinese checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE6 Filipino checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE7 Japanese checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE8 Korean checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE9 Vietnamese checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE10 Other Asian checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE 11 Native Hawaiian checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE 12 Guamanian or Chamorro Y Box for race checked 

 checkbox N Box for race not checked 

RACE 13 Samoan checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE14 Other Pacific Islander Y Box for race checked 

 checkbox N Box for race not checked 
Item 53 

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5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

RACE15 Other checkbox Y Box for race checked 

N Box for race not checked 

RACE16 First American Indian or Literal responses 

Alaska Native literal 

RACE17 Second American Indian or Literal responses 

Alaska Native literal 

RACE18 First Other Asian literal Literal responses 

RACE19 Second Other Asian literal Literal responses 

RACE20 First Other Pacific 

Islander literal Literal responses 

RACE21 Second Other Pacific 

Islander literal Literal responses 

RACE22 First Other literal Literal responses 

RACE23 Second Other literal Literal responses 

RDONE Done box Y Yes (done box checked) 

N No (done box not checked) 

RACE_MVR Missing value variable R Refused 

S Sought but unknown 

C Not obtainable 

EDITS: 

ELECTRONIC RECORD 

Before the record is transmitted to the State 

At least one of the four boxes “Unknown,” “Not obtainable,” “Refused,” or “Done” 

must be checked before another entry field can appear. If the keyer tries to move to 

another item, a message should appear asking that the Race of the decedent be 

completed. If the “Done” box is checked, no other boxes checked, and no literal entries 

made, each race check box variable is assigned the “N ” code, the RACE_MVR variable 

is assigned the value "S,” and all literals are filled with Xs. 

Record cannot be filed or printed unless at least one box is checked. 

If the “Unknown” box is checked, assign the value “S” to the variable RACE_MVR. 

If the “Not obtainable” box is checked, assign the value “C” to the variable 

RACE_MVR. 

If the “Refused” box is checked, assign the value “R” to the variable RACE_MVR. 

If the “Not obtainable,” “Unknown,” or “Refused” box is checked, and one or more 
Item 53 

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5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

specific race items are checked, the “Not obtainable,” “Unknown,” or “Refused ” boxes 

are ignored. 

When a specific race box is selected (checked), the value Y is assigned to that variable. 

When the “Done” box is checked, all race items without a Y code will be assigned an N 

code meaning that the race was not reported. 

PAPER RECORD 

Records filed with this field blank are queried. If no response to query, assign the 

“Unknown” code to the MVR variable. 

If the response is “Refused,” “Unknown,” or “Not obtainable,” all fields must contain N 

and the literals X ’s. 

STATE DATA FILE CONSIDERATIONS 

After the record is transmitted to NCHS, the responses on the race item are processed 

through the coding and editing algorithms developed and operated by NCHS. The coding 

algorithm assigns a three-digit code to each race processing-variable with an initial 

positive response, either directly for check-box races or through a table lookup using a 

table developed and maintained by NCHS. * If the race is not found in the table, the code 

for “other” is assigned. NCHS has also developed an imputation procedure for use when 

race is unknown. 

Initial responses on the standard certificate race format are handled with 15 single-digit 

fields for check-boxes (RACE1-RACE15) and up to eight 30 character fields for literal 

entries, two for each of the four write-in lines (RACE16-RACE23). Three-digit codes 

assigned by the coding algorithm to the literal positive responses are stored in 

RACE16C-RACE23C. 

The set of three-digit codes assigned to the initial race responses are run through an edit 

and reduction algorithm consistent with the basic year 2000 census edits, also developed 

and operated by NCHS. This algorithm eliminates redundant responses and adjusts 

inconsistent responses to determine the best set of codes for the responses. If a Hispanic 

response is entered in the “Other” field, an allocation of race is made at the same time 

that the edit and reduction algorithm is run. 

Output from the edit and reduction algorithm includes up to eight possible race codes 

stored in variables RACE1E thru RACE8E. These eight race output variables are the 

ones to be used for tabulation purposes. All the processing variables as initially recorded 

including all the literal entries are to be transmitted to NCHS along with the eight 

assigned codes for tabulation. To save States from the effort of duplicating this 

complicated process, NCHS will return the edited race codes to the States. 
Item 53 

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States may, of course, elect to code these data internally. However, only uncoded data 

will be transmitted to NCHS to assure that these data are processed in a comparable 

fashion. 

Because of possible responses such as “Refused,” “Unknown,” and “Not obtainable,” 

States must use a missing value variable (*_MVR) to keep track of these responses for 

intervention or follow-up training as appropriate. The recommended variable name is 

RACE_MVR. 

* At some point in the future, the transmission of data from the States to NCHS and back 

again will be done using "HL7-version 3" standard messaging with XML technology. 

Once XML messaging is established, States may elect to convert data from their 

databases into XML messages with NEDSS codes and/or literals for transmission to 

NCHS. It is important to note, however, that until HL7/XML messaging is established, 

NCHS will continue to use the 3-digit format outlined above for transmission. 

 NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

RACE1 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE2 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE3 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE4 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE5 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE6 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE7 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE8 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE9 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE10 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE11 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE12 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE13 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE14 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE15 1 Alpha character string Y,N 

RACE16 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 

RACE17 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 

RACE18 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 

RACE19 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 

RACE20 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 

RACE21 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 

RACE22 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 
Item 53 

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RACE23 30 Alpha character string Literal,blank 

RACE1E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE2E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE3E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE4E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE5E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE6E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE7E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE8E 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE16C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE17C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE18C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE19C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE20C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE21C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE22C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE23C 3 Alphanumeric character string Appendix I 

RACE_MVR 1 Alpha character string R,S,C 

EDI TRANSMISSION: 

No standards set yet. 
Item 54, 55 

Page 1 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Item Titles: DECEDENT’S USUAL OCCUPATION 

 KIND OF BUSINESS/INDUSTRY

Item Numbers: 54, 55

Description: Information on the decedent’s usual occupation and type 

of industry employed in during most of his (her) working 

life. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: Informant 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

Funeral Director

Complete items 54 and 55 only for decedents 14 years of age or older. 

For item 54 (Decedent’s Usual Occupation), print or type the decedent’s usual 

occupation. Record the kind of work the decedent did during most of his or her working 

life, such as claim adjuster, farmhand, coal miner, janitor, store manager, college 

professor, or civil engineer. This is not necessarily the last occupation of the decedent. 

Do not enter “retired.” 

If the decedent was a homemaker at the time of death but had worked outside the 

household during his or her working life, enter that occupation. 

If the decedent was a homemaker during most of his or her working life and had not 

worked outside the household, enter “Homemaker.” 

If the decedent was a student at the time of death and was never regularly employed or 

employed full time during his or her working life, enter “Student.” 

If not known, print or type “Unknown.” 

For item 55 (Kind of Business/Industry), the kind of business or industry to which the 

occupation in item 54 is related, such as insurance, farming, coal mining, hardware store, 

retail clothing, university, or government should be entered. 
Item 54, 55 

Page 2 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Do not enter the name of the company, firm, or organization. 

If “homemaker” is entered in item 54, enter “Own home” or “Someone else’s home.” 

If “student” is entered in item 54, enter the type of school, such as high school or college. 

If not known, enter “Unknown.” 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Calculated age should be checked to see if the decedent is 14 years of age or older. If 

decedent is not at least 14 years of age, the screens for items 54 and 55 should not 

appear. If a calculated age field is not available, use the given age fields. 

Suggested Method: 

The instructions should appear when the item is to be completed. 

Decedent’s Usual Occupation 

Enter below the kind of work decedent did during most of his or her working 

life, such as claim adjuster, farmhand, coal miner, janitor, store manager, 

college professor, or civil engineer. This is not necessarily the last occupation 

of the decedent. 

Do not enter “retired.” 

If a student at the time of death and was never regularly employed or 

employed full time during his or her working life, enter “student.”

If not known, enter “Unknown.” 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ________________________________________

If “Retired” is entered, the following message appears: 

“Retired” is not an acceptable entry. Please enter the decedent’s occupation 

during most of his or her working life. 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Student” is entered for occupation, the following message and menu appears: 
Item 54, 55 

Page 3 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

“Student” was entered as the decedent’s usual occupation. 

Please choose one of the boxes below. 

 Grade school 

 Middle school 

 Junior high school 

 High school 

 College or university 

 Vocational school 

 Unknown 

Once a choice is made the data are entered in the field for item 55 and item 55 will not 

appear. 

If “Homemaker” is entered, the following message appears:

 If the decedent worked outside the household at any time during his or her 

working life then please enter that occupation rather than homemaker. 

Please check the appropriate box. 

 “Homemaker” is correct. 

 “Homemaker” is not correct.

If the second response is chosen, the original screen reappears. 

If “Homemaker” is correct for occupation, the following screen appears: 

“Homemaker” was entered as the decedent’s usual occupation. 

Please choose one of the boxes below. 

 Homemaker in own home 

 Homemaker in someone else’s home 

Once a choice is made, the data are entered in the field for item 55 and item 55 will not 

appear. 

If “Businessman” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Businessman,” be sure to specify if the decedent was owner, type of 

manager, president, etc. 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Civil service worker” is entered, the following message appears: 
Item 54, 55 

Page 4 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If “Civil service worker,” be sure to specify the specific job (e.g., clerk, 

secretary, computer programmer, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Contractor” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Contractor,” be sure to specify type of contractor (e.g., construction, 

mail, brick mason, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Counselor” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Counselor,” be sure to specify kind of counselor (e.g., legal, family, 

education, job, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Domestic worker” is entered, the following message appears: 

“Domestic worker” was entered as the decedent’s usual occupation. 

Please choose one of the boxes below. 

 Domestic worker in own home 

 Domestic worker in someone else’s home 

If “Employee” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Employee,” be sure to specify kind of job or duties of the person at the 

place of work 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Engineer” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Engineer,” be sure to specify kind of engineer (e.g., professional, 

construction, maintenance, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Manager” is entered, the following message appears: 
Item 54, 55 

Page 5 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If “Manager,” be sure to specify type of manager (e.g., sales, production, 

office) and for office manager, specify supervisory manager from clerical 

office manager 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Maintenance worker” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Maintenance worker,” be sure to specify typical responsibility (e.g., 

repair or janitorial, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Nurse” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Nurse,” be sure to specify kind of nurse (e.g., R.N., L.P.N., nurses aide, 

etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Program specialist” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Program specialist,” be sure to specify the program or field (e.g., 

computer, administrative, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Seamstress” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Seamstress,” be sure to specify work situation (e.g., at home, in industrial 

setting, department store, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________

If “Serviceman” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Serviceman,” be sure to specify type of serviceman (e.g., repairman, 

military, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Teacher” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Teacher,” be sure to specify grade or subject level (e.g., grade school, 

middle school, high school, university, etc.) 
Item 54, 55 

Page 6 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

If “Technician” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Technician,” be sure to specify kind of technician (e.g., repair, 

manufacturing, medical, etc.) 

Decedent’s usual occupation: ______________________________________ 

The above messages are intended to probe for additional information; if additional 

information is not known, the initial response (e.g., civil service worker) is retained. 

For item 55, the method below is suggested. The instruction should appear when the item 

is to be completed.

Kind of Business or Industry 

Enter below the kind of business or industry to which the occupation in item 

54 is related, such as insurance, farming, coal mining, hardware store, retail 

clothing, university, or government. 

Do not enter the name of the company, firm, or organization. 

If not known, enter “Unknown.” 

Kind of business or industry ___________________________________ 

If “Accounting department” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Accounting department,” be sure to specify type of business or industry 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Automotive” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Automotive,” be sure to specify type of automotive business or industry 

(e.g., automotive or automotive parts sales, manufacturing, repair, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Box manufacturing” or “Box sales” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Box manufacturing or sales,” be sure to specify kind of box (e.g., 

cardboard, metal, aluminum, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 
Item 54, 55 

Page 7 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If “Business” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Business,” be sure to specify type of business (e.g., manufacturing, 

wholesale, retail, etc. and name product made or sold at business) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Civil service” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Civil service,” be sure to name the specific government agency 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Dairy” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Dairy,” be sure to specify if the dairy is a plant, shop, store, etc. 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Bakery” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Bakery,” be sure to specify if the bakery is a plant, shop, store, etc. 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Electrical” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Electrical,” be sure to specify kind of business (e.g., utility company, 

electrical goods, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Engineering” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Engineering,” be sure to specify type of business (e.g., professional, 

consulting, construction, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Food” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Food,” be sure to specify type of business (e.g., manufacturing, food 

wholesale, grocery store, restaurant, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 
Item 54, 55 

Page 8 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If “Foundry” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Foundry,” be sure to specify kind of foundry (e.g., iron, steel, aluminum, 

etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Housekeeping” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Housekeeping,” be sure to specify if this was in decedent’s own home or 

name the type of establishment if outside own home. 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Maintenance” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Maintenance,” be sure to specify kind of maintenance (e.g., repair, 

cleaning, janitorial services, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Metal” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Metal,” be sure to specify metal product and type of business (e.g., 

manufacturing, wholesale, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Military,” “Armed Forces,” or any branch of service is entered, the following 

message appears: 

If “Military,” “Armed Forces,” or any branch of service be sure to specify if 

active military duty and if decedent was in military for most of working life 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Manufacturing” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Manufacturing,” be sure to specify what product the business made 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Mining” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Mining,” be sure to specify kind of mining (e.g., coal, metal, oil, etc.) 
Item 54, 55 

Page 9 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Office” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Office,” be sure to specify kind of business or company 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Ranch” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Ranch,” be sure to specify if ranch had livestock only, crops only, or both 

crops and livestock 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Research” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Research,” be sure to specify field of research or field of science (e.g., 

medical, chemical, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Sales” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Sales,” be sure to specify kind of product sold and if it was retail or 

wholesale trade 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Self Employed” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Self Employed,” be sure to specify nature or kind of business 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Tools” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Tools,” be sure to specify if manufacturing or sales and describe tools 

(e.g., steel, power, hand, electric, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Transportation” is entered, the following message appears: 
Item 54, 55 

Page 10 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

If “Transportation,” be sure to specify type (e.g., trucking, bus, airplane, 

train, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Well” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Well,” be sure to specify kind of well (e.g., water, oil, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Windows or Doors” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Windows” or “Doors,” be sure to specify manufacturing or sales and 

describe windows or doors (e.g., wood, aluminum, steel, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

If “Wire” is entered, the following message appears: 

If “Wire,” be sure to specify manufacturing or sales and describe wire (e.g., 

copper, aluminum, ferrous, steel, etc.) 

Kind of business or industry: ______________________________________ 

The above messages are intended to probe for additional information; if additional 

information is not known, the initial response (e.g., wire) is retained. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES 

OCCUP Usual occupation Literal 

INDUST Kind of business or industry Literal

EDITS: 

Before the record is transmitted to the State

ELECTRONIC RECORDS 

None at this time. 
Item 54, 55 

Page 11 of 11 

 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

PAPER RECORDS 

None at this time. 

State edits of data file prior to NCHS transmission 

None at this time. 

STATE FILE CONSIDERATIONS

It is recommended that States record the literal entry for both the occupation and kind of 

business or industry. States may opt to code these entries using the SOIC software 

distributed by NIOSH. States will need two literal fields of 40 characters each for these 

entries. 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

At this time, data transmittal to NCHS is at the State’s discretion. The coded values, 

OCCUPC and INDUSTC, would be 3-characters in length. 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

OCCUP 40 Alpha character Literal 

INDUST 40 Alpha character Literal 

 
File Processing Items 

Page 1 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

File Processing Item: Certificate number (State file number) 

File Layout Location: 7-12 

Description: Information about the record used for quality control, 

management, and evaluation. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: System generated or State vital statistics staff

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

State vital statistics staff

To be used for administrative and management purposes. Left fill with zeros if the State 

file number has fewer than 6 digits. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

To be used for administrative and management purposes. Left fill with zeros if the State 

file number has fewer than 6 digits. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

FILENO State file number 6-digit Left fill zero if not 6 

 digits 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

FILENO 6 Numeric character string 000001-999999 
File Processing Items 

Page 2 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

File Processing Item: Void flag 

File Layout Location: 13-13

Description: Information about the record used for quality control, 

management, and evaluation. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: System generated or State vital statistics staff

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

State vital statistics staff

To help identify records that have been voided from the data file. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

To help identify records that have been voided from the data file. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

VOID Flag indicating void 0 Valid record (default) 

1 Void record 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

VOID 1 Numeric character string 0,1 
File Processing Items 

Page 3 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

File Processing Item: Auxiliary state file number 

File Layout Location: 14-25

Description: Information about the record used for quality control, 

management, and evaluation. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: System generated or State vital statistics staff

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

State vital statistics staff

To be used for administrative and management purposes. Left fill with zeros if the 

auxiliary State file number has fewer than 12 digits. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

To be used for administrative and management purposes. Left fill with zeros if the 

auxiliary State file number has fewer than 12 digits. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

AUXNO Auxiliary State file number 12-digit Left fill zero if not 12 

 digits 

blank 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

AUXNO 12 Numeric character string 000000000001-999999999999 

 blank 
File Processing Items 

Page 4 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

File Processing Item: Source Flag (Paper filed/electronically filed) 

File Layout Location: 26-26

Description: Information about the record used for quality control, 

management, and evaluation. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: System generated or State vital statistics staff

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

State vital statistics staff

To promote evaluation of data quality by data collection device. If all parts of the record 

are completed electronically at the source (i.e., a funeral director provides legal and 

demographic information and a physician, medical examiner, or coroner provides the 

medical information) using the State electronic death registration system, then the record 

is considered to be electronic. If neither the funeral director or physician nor the medical 

examiner, or coroner completes the record electronically using the State electronic death 

registration system, then the record is considered to be paper. If one party (e.g., funeral 

director) completes their portion of the record electronically and the other (e.g., 

physician, medical examiner, or coroner) completes their portion on paper or gives the 

responses to the funeral director for key entering, then the record is considered to be 

mixed mode. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

To promote evaluation of data quality by data collection device. If all parts of the 

record are completed electronically at the source (i.e., a funeral director provides legal 

and demographic information and a physician, medical examiner, or coroner provides 

the medical information) using the State electronic death registration system, then the 

record is considered to be electronic. If neither the funeral director or physician nor the 

medical examiner, or coroner completes the record electronically using the State 

electronic death registration system, then the record is considered to be paper. If one 

party (e.g., funeral director) completes their portion of the record electronically and the 

other (e.g., physician, medical examiner, or coroner) completes their portion on paper or 

gives the responses to the funeral director for key entering, then the record is considered 

to be mixed mode. 
File Processing Items 

Page 5 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

MFILED Type of certificate 0 Electronic certificate 

1 Paper certificate 

2 Mixed mode 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

MFILED 1 Numeric character string 0, 1, 2 
File Processing Items 

Page 6 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

File Processing Item: Birth certificate number (linking information)

File Layout Location: 661-666

Description: Information about the record used for quality control, 

management, and evaluation. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: State vital statistics staff 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

State vital statistics staff

To facilitate linking infant death certificates with respective live birth certificate, the 

original certificate number assigned to the matching birth certificate by the State in which 

the birth occurred should be recorded. Left fill with zeros if the certificate number has 

fewer than 6 digits. If the record does not concern an infant death, leave this field blank. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

This information may be requested only if the decedent’s age is under 1 year. Request 

the State vital statistics staff to provide the original certificate number assigned to the 

matching birth certificate by the State in which the birth occurred should be recorded for 

infant deaths. 

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

BCNO Birth certificate number 6-digit Left fill zero if not 6 

Blank digits 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 
File Processing Items 

Page 7 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

BCNO 6 Numeric character string 000001-999999, blank 
File Processing Items 

Page 8 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

 File Processing Item: Year of birth 

File Layout Location: 667-670 

Description: Information about the record used for quality control, 

management, and evaluation. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: State vital statistics staff 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

State vital statistics staff

This information is used to facilitate linking infant death certificates with the infant’s live 

birth certificate. Enter the 4-digit year for infant deaths. 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

Enter the 4-digit year for infant deaths. The field may be left blank for decedents 1 year 

or over. If the year is not known for an infant, then unknown should be filled with 9’s.

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

ICOB_YR Year of birth 4 digit year 4 digit year= Year of death or 

 (Year of death-1) 

9999 Unknown 

Blank Not an infant 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES
File Processing Items 

Page 9 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

ICOB_YR 4 Numeric character string 4 digit year<=Year of death, 

9999, blank 
File Processing Items 

Page 10 of 10 

5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

File Processing Item: State of birth 

File Layout Location: 671-672 

Description: Information about the record used for quality control, 

management, and evaluation. 

 

Source of Information:

Preferred Source: State vital statistics staff 

INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR A PAPER RECORD: 

State vital statistics staff

This is used to facilitate linking infant death certificates with the live birth certificate for 

the infant. Use the 2- character alpha State code from NCHS Part 8A (from FIPS table 5-

2). 

FOR AN ELECTRONIC RECORD: 

EDR Developer 

This information may be requested only if the decedent’s age is under 1 year. Use the 2- 

character alpha State code from NCHS Part 8A (from FIPS table 5-2).

PROCESSING VARIABLES: 

NAME DESCRIPTION VALUES DEFINITION

BSTATE State of birth Alpha From NCHS part 8A 

NCHS TRANSMISSION FILE 

VARIABLES: 

NAMES LENGTH TYPE VALUES

BSTATE 2 Alpha character string Appendix D 
5/2004; Updated 2/18/2005

LIST OF APPENDICES 

TITLE APPENDIX

SEX-SPECIFIC CAUSES OF DEATH A 

Both Underlying Cause and Multiple Cause A-1 

Multiple Cause Only A-2 

COUNTRY CODES B 

CITY & COUNTY CODES C 

STATE, TERRITORY, & CANADIAN PROVINCE CODES D 

EDUCATION LEVEL CARD E 

HISPANIC ORIGIN CARD F 

TABLE OF HISPANIC ORIGINS G 

RACE ITEM CARD H 

TABLE OF RACE CODES I 

TRANSPORTS J 

WORDS FOR DICTIONARY K 
Appendix A

Page 1 of 6

 

10/11/2002

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX A-1

Sex/Cause Consistency Edits for ICD-10 Codes Valid for Both Underlying and 

Multiple Cause-of-Death Classification

1=Absolute

ICD-10 Sex limitation Sex Edit

Code Code1

A34 Female, 10-54 years 1 04

B26.0 Male 1 10

B37.3 Female, 28 days and over 1 13

C51 Female 1 11

C52 Female 1 11

C53 Female 1 11

C54 Female 1 11

C55 Female 1 11

C56 Female 1 11

C57 Female 1 11

C58 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

C60 Male 1 10

C61 Male 1 10

C62 Male 1 10

C63 Male 1 10

C79.6 Female 1 11

D06 Female 1 11 

D07.0 Female 1 11

D07.1 Female 1 11

D07.2 Female 1 11

D07.3 Female 1 11

D07.4 Male 1 10

D07.5 Male 1 10

D07.6 Male 1 10

D17.6 Male 1 10

D25 Female 1 11

D26 Female 1 11

D27 Female 1 11

D28 Female 1 11

D29 Male 1 10

D39.0 Female 1 11

D39.1 Female 1 11

D39.2 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

D39.7 Female 1 11

D39.9 Female 1 11
Appendix A

Page 2 of 6

 

10/11/2002

D40 Male 1 10 

E28 Female 1 11

E29 Male 1 10

F52.4 Male, 10 years and over 1 19

F52.5 Female, 10 years and over 1 18

F53 Female, 10-54 years 1 04

I86.1 Male 1 10

I86.3 Female 1 11

L29.1 Male 1 10

L29.2 Female 1 11

L70.5 Female, 1 year and over 1 21

M80.0 Female 1 11

M80.1 Female 1 11

M81.0 Female 1 11

M81.1 Female 1 11

M83.0 Female, 10-54 years 1 04

N40 Male 1 10

N41 Male 1 10

N42 Male 1 10

N43 Male 1 10

N44 Male 1 10

N45 Male 1 10

N46 Male 1 10

N47 Male 1 10

N48 Male 1 10

N49 Male 1 10

N50 Male 1 10

N70 Female 1 11

N71 Female 1 11

N72 Female 1 11

N73 Female 1 11

N75 Female 1 11

N76 Female 1 11

N80 Female 1 11

N81 Female 1 11

N82 Female 1 11

N83 Female 1 11

N84 Female 1 11

N85 Female 1 11

N86 Female 1 11

N87 Female 1 11

N88 Female 1 11

N89 Female 1 11

N90 Female 1 11

N91 Female 1 14

N92 Female 1 14
Appendix A

Page 3 of 6

 

10/11/2002

N93 Female 1 11

N94 Female 1 14

N95 Female 1 14

N96 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

N97 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

N98 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O00 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O01 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O02 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O03 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O04 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O05 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O06 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O07 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O10 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O11 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O12 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O13 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O14 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O15 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O16 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O20 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O21 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O22 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O23 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O24 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O25 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O26 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O28 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O29 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O30 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O31 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O32 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O33 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O34 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O35 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O36 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O40 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O41 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O42 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O43 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O44 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O45 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O46 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O47 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O48 Female, 10-54 years 1 14
Appendix A

Page 4 of 6

 

10/11/2002

O60 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O61 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O62 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O63 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O64 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O65 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O66 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O67 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O68 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O69 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O70 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O71 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O72 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O73 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O74 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O75 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O85 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O86 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O87 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O88 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O89 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O90 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O91 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O92 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O95 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O96 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O97 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O98 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

O99 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

P54.6 Female, under 1 year 1 22

Q50 Female 1 11

Q51 Female 1 11

Q52 Female 1 11

Q53 Male 1 10

Q54 Male 1 10

Q55 Male 1 10

Q96 Female 1 11

Q97 Female 1 11

Q98 Male 1 10

R86 Male 1 10

R87 Female 1 11 

Y42.4 Female, 10-54 years 1 14

Y42.5 Female 1 11

Y76 Female 1 11
Appendix A

Page 5 of 6

 

10/11/2002

1 Edit codes may be useful for programming the age/sex limitations as follows:

Edit code Limited to 

 10 Male 

 11 Female 

 13 Female, 28 days and over

 14 Female, 10-54 years

 18 Female, 10 years and over

 19 Male, 10 years and over

 21 Female, 1 year and over

 22 Female, under 1 year

 

Source: Table G in NCHS, Instruction manual, part 11 at 

 http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/im.htm.
Appendix A

Page 6 of 6

 

10/11/2002

APPENDIX A-2

Sex/Cause Consistency Edits for ICD-10 Codes

Valid for Multiple Cause-of-Death Classification Only

 

1=Absolute

 

ICD-10 Edit

code Sex limitation Sex code1

E89.4 Female 1 11

E89.5 Male 1 10

N99.2 Female 1 11

N99.3 Female 1 11

O08 Female, 10-54 1 14

S31.2 Male 1 10

S31.3 Male 1 10

S31.4 Female 1 11

S37.4 Female 1 11

S37.5 Female 1 11

S37.6 Female 1 11

T83.3 Female 1 11

1

 Edit codes may be useful for programming the sex limitations as follows:

 Edit code Limited to

 10 Male

 11 Female

 14 Female, 10-54 years

Source: Table H in NCHS, Instruction manual, part 11 at

 http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/im.htm.
Appendix B

Page 1

9/6/2002

APPENDIX B

COUNTRY CODES

Codes marked with an “*” indicate historic political entities that no longer exist. Some of the 

historic political entities appear multiple times in the list: alphabetically and indented following 

the related active political entities. When active and historic political entities have the same 

name, dates have been provided to help select the most appropriate code. A few codes appear 

more than once in the list alphabetized under commonly use variants of the official name. Italics 

are used to indicate all codes appearing more than once, whether because of a name variation 

or because a historic code has been grouped with the current active country.

NOTE: Codes are not available for countries that ceased to exist prior to June 15, 1970. To 

code an event for a country for which a code is not available, use the code for the closest 

contemporary country (i.e. a code that is not italicized).

AFGHANISTAN AF

ALBANIA AL

ALGERIA AG

AMERICAN SAMOA AQ

ANDORRA AN

ANGOLA AO

ANGUILLA AV

ANTARCTICA AY

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AC

ARGENTINA AR

ARMENIA [as of September 21, 1991] AM

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

ARUBA [as of January 1, 1986] AA

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES [prior to 

January 1, 1986]

NA *

ASHMORE AND CARTIER ISLANDS AT

AUSTRALIA AS

AUSTRIA AU

AZERBAIJAN [as of August 30, 1991] AJ

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

BAHAMAS, THE BF

BAHRAIN BA

BANGLADESH BG

BARBADOS BB

BASSAS DA INDIA BS

BELARUS [as of August 25, 1991] BO

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

BELGIUM BE

BELIZE BH

BENIN BN

DAHOMEY [BENIN] DM *

BERMUDA BD

BHUTAN BT

BOLIVIA BL

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA [as of April 5, 

1992]

BK

YUGOSLAVIA [December 1, 1918 to 

April 11, 1992]

YO *

BOTSWANA BC

BOUVET ISLAND BV

BRAZIL BR

BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY IO

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS VI

BRUNEI BX
Appendix B

Page 2

9/6/2002

BULGARIA BU

BURKINA FASO UV

BURMA BM

BURUNDI BY

CAMBODIA CB

CAMEROON CM

CANADA CA

CANTON AND ENDERBERRY ISLANDS EQ *

CAPE VERDE CV

CAYMAN ISLANDS CJ

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CT

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LINE ISLANDS CL *

CHAD CD

CHILE CI

CHINA CH

CHRISTMAS ISLAND KT

CLIPPERTON ISLAND IP

COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS CK

COLOMBIA CO

COMOROS CN

CONGO (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE 

CONGO)

CG

CONGO (REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO) CF

COOK ISLANDS CW

CORAL SEA ISLANDS CR

COSTA RICA CS

COTE D' IVOIRE IV

CROATIA [as of June 11, 1992] HR

YUGOSLAVIA [December 1, 1918 to 

April 11, 1992]

YO *

CUBA CU

CYPRUS CY

CZECH REPUBLIC [as of January 1, 1993] EZ

CZECHOSLOVAKIA [October 28, 1918 to 

January 1, 1993]

CZ *

DAHOMEY [BENIN] DM *

DENMARK DA

DJIBOUTI DJ

DOMINICA DO

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DR

EAST BERLIN [prior to October 3, 1990] EB *

EAST GERMANY (GERMAN DEMOCRATIC 

REPUBLIC) [October 11, 1949 to October 3, 

1990]

GC *

EAST TIMOR [as of October 1999] TT

TIMOR [prior to 1975] PT *

ECUADOR EC

EGYPT EG

EL SALVADOR ES

ENGLAND (UNITED KINGDOM) UK

EQUATORIAL GUINEA EK

ERITREA ER

ESTONIA [as of August 20, 1991] EN

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

ETHIOPIA ET

EUROPA ISLAND EU

FALKLAND ISLANDS FK

FAROE ISLANDS FO

FIJI FJ

FINLAND FI

FRANCE FR

FRENCH GUIANA FG

FRENCH POLYNESIA FP

FRENCH SOUTHERN AND ANTARCTIC 

LANDS

FS

FRENCH TERRITORY OF THE AFFARS AND 

ISSAS

FT *

GABON GB

GAMBIA, THE GA

GAZA STRIP GZ

GEORGIA [as of April 9, 1991] GG

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

GERMANY [as of October 3, 1990] GM

EAST BERLIN [October 11, 1949 to 

October 3, 1990]

EB *

EAST GERMANY (GERMAN 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC) [October 

11, 1949 to October 3, 1990]

GC *

WEST BERLIN [September 21, 1949 to 

October 3, 1990]

WB *
Appendix B

Page 3

9/6/2002

WEST GERMANY (FEDERAL 

REPUBLIC OF GERMANY) [September 

21, 1949 to October 3, 1990]

GE *

GHANA GH

GIBRALTAR GI

GILBERT ISLANDS GS *

GILBERT AND ELLICE ISLANDS GN *

GLORIOSO ISLANDS GO

GREAT BRITIAN (UNITED KINGDOM) UK

GREECE GR

GREENLAND GL

GRENADA GJ

GUADELOUPE GP

GUAM GQ

GUATEMALA GT

GUERNSEY GK

GUINEA GV

GUINEA-BISSAU PU

GUYANA GY

HAITI HA

HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS HM

HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY) VT

HONDURAS HO

HONG KONG HK

HOWLAND ISLAND HQ

HUNGARY HU

ICELAND IC

INDIA IN

SIKKIM [prior to 1975] SK *

INDONESIA ID

IRAN IR

IRAQ IZ

IRAQ-SAUDI ARABIA NEUTRAL ZONE IY *

IRELAND EI

ISLE OF MAN IM

ISRAEL IS

ISRAEL-JORDAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE IW *

ISRAEL-SYRIA DEMILITARIZED ZONE IU *

ITALY IT

IVORY COAST, THE (COTE D' IVOIRE) IV

JAMAICA JM

JAN MAYEN JN

SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN JS *

JAPAN JA

JARVIS ISLAND DQ

JERSEY JE

JOHNSTON ISLAND JQ

JORDAN JO

JUAN DE NOVA ISLAND JU

KAZAKHSTAN [as of December 16, 1991] KZ

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

KENYA KE

KIRIBATI KR

KUWAIT KU

KYRGYZSTAN [as of August 31, 1991] KG

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

LAOS LA

LATVIA [August 21, 1991] LG

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

LEBANON LE

LESOTHO LT

LIBERIA LI

LIBYA LY

LIECHTENSTEIN LS

LITHUANIA [as of March 11, 1990] LH

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

LUXEMBOURG LU

MACAU MC

MACEDONIA, F.Y.R.O. [as of September 17, 

1991]

MK

YUGOSLAVIA [December 1, 1918 to 

April 11, 1992]

YO *

MADAGASCAR MA

MALAWI MI

MALAYSIA MY

MALDIVES MV
Appendix B

Page 4

9/6/2002

MALI ML

MALTA MT

MARSHALL ISLANDS RM

MARTINIQUE MB

MAURITANIA MR

MAURITIUS MP

MAYOTTE MF

MEXICO MX

MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF FM

MIDWAY ISLAND MQ

MOLDOVA [as of August 27, 1991] MD

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

MONACO MN

MONGOLIA MG

MONTSERRAT MH

MOROCCO MO

SPANISH NORTH AFRICA ME *

SPANISH SAHARA SS *

MOZAMBIQUE MZ

NAMIBIA WA

NAURU NR

NEPAL NP

NETHERLANDS NL

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES [as of January 1, 

1986]

NT

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES [prior to January 1, 

1986]

NA *

NEW CALEDONIA NC

NEW ZEALAND NZ

NICARAGUA NU

NIGER NG

NIGERIA NI

NIUE NE

NORFOLK ISLAND NF

NORTH KOREA KN

NORTH VIETNAM [October 26, 1955 to July 2, 

1976]

VN *

NORTHERN MARIANAS ISLANDS CQ

NORWAY NO

OMAN MU

PAKISTAN PK

PALAU PS

PALMYRA ATOLL LQ

PANAMA [as of October 1, 1979] PM

PANAMA [November 6, 1903 to October 1, 1979] PN *

PANAMA CANAL ZONE [November 6, 1903 to 

October 1, 1979]

PQ *

PAPUA NEW GUINEA PP

PARACEL ISLANDS PF

PARAGUAY PA

PERU PE

PHILIPPINES RP

PITCAIRN ISLAND PC

POLAND PL

PORTUGAL PO

PUERTO RICO RQ

QATAR QA

REUNION RE

ROMANIA RO

RUSSIA [August 24, 1991] RS

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

RWANDA RW

RYUKYU ISLANDS, SOUTHERN YQ *

SAINT HELENA SH

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS SC

SAINT LUCIA ST

SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON SB

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES VC

SAMOA WS

SAN MARINO SM

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE TP

SAUDI ARABIA SA

SENEGAL SG

SEYCHELLES SE

SIERRA LEONE SL

SIKKIM [prior to 1975] SK *

SINGAPORE SN
Appendix B

Page 5

9/6/2002

SLOVAKIA [as of January 1, 1993] LO

CZECHOSLOVAKIA [October 28, 1918 

to January 1, 1993]

CZ *

SLOVENIA [as of June 25, 1991] SI

YUGOSLAVIA [December 1, 1918 to 

April 11, 1992]

YO *

SOLOMON ISLANDS BP

SOMALIA SO

SOUTH AFRICA SF

SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH 

SANDWICH ISLANDS

SX

SOUTH KOREA KS

SOUTH VIETNAM [October 26, 1955 to July 2, 

1976]

VS *

SOUTHERN RHODESIA [prior to April 18, 1980] RH *

SOVIET UNION (UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS) [November 7, 1917 to December 26, 

1991]

UR *

SPAIN SP

SPANISH NORTH AFRICA ME *

SPANISH SAHARA SS *

SPRATLY ISLANDS PG

SRI LANKA CE

SUDAN SU

SURINAME NS

SVALBARD SV

SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN JS *

SWAN ISLANDS SQ *

SWAZILAND WZ

SWEDEN SW

SWITZERLAND SZ

SYRIA SY

TAIWAN TW

TAJIKISTAN [as of September 9, 1991] TI

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

TANZANIA TZ

THAILAND TH

TIMOR [prior to 1975] PT *

TOGO TO

TOKELAU TL

TONGA TN

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TD

TROMELIN ISLAND TE

TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC 

ISLANDS

TQ *

TUNISIA TS

TURKEY TU

TURKMENISTAN [as of October 27, 1991] TX

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TK

TUVALU TV

UGANDA UG

UKRAINE [as of August 24, 1991] UP

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS 

[November 7, 1917 to December 26, 1991]

UR *

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES [as of December 1, 

1998]

AE

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES [prior to December 

1, 1998]

TC *

UNITED KINGDOM UK

UNITED STATES US

UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS VQ

URUGUAY UY

US MISCELLANEOUS PACIFIC ISLANDS IQ *

UZBEKISTAN [September 1, 1991] UZ

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 

REPUBLICS [November 7, 1917 to 

December 26, 1991]

UR *

VANUATU NH

VATICAN CITY (HOLY SEE) VT

VENEZUELA VE

VIETNAM [as of July 2, 1976] VM

NORTH VIETNAM [October 26, 1955 to 

July 2, 1976]

VN *

SOUTH VIETNAM [October 26, 1955 to 

July 2, 1976]

VS *

WAKE ISLAND WQ

WALLIS AND FUTUNA WF

WEST BANK WE

WEST BERLIN [September 21, 1949 to October 

3, 1990]

WB *

WEST GERMANY (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF 

GERMANY) [September 21, 1949 to October 3, 

1990]

GE *

WESTERN SAHARA WI
Appendix B

Page 6

9/6/2002

YEMEN [as of May 22, 1990] YM

YEMEN (ADEN) [prior to May 22, 1990] YS *

YEMEN (SANA'A) [prior to May 22, 1990] YE *

YUGOSLAVIA [as of April 11, 1992] YI

YUGOSLAVIA [December 1, 1918 to April 11, 

1992]

YO *

ZAMBIA ZA

ZIMBABWE ZI

SOUTHERN RHODESIA [prior to April 

18, 1980]

RH *

NOT CLASSIFIABLE ZZ
Appendix C

Page 1 of 1

 

4/28/2002

APPENDIX C

CITY & COUNTY CODES

City and County coding information included in this appendix has been incorporated 

into the revised NCHS geographic coding manual (Instruction Manual Part 8). The 

URLs for the manuals are:

Part 8-Geographic Classification, 2003 is available at

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/IMP8_PrintVersion.pdf

Part 8a-Geographic Classification (FIPS), 2004 is available at 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/IMP8A_PrintVersion.pdf��

CITY CODES

VALID VALUE

 See FIPS 55-3 name table

 Not classifiable 99999

Source: FIPS 55-3 name table at http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/

COUNTY

VALID VALUE

 See FIPS 6-4 name table

 Not classifiable 999

Source: FIPS 6-4 name table at http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/
Appendix D

Page of 4

4/28/2002

APPENDIX D

STATE, TERRITORY, AND CANADIAN PROVINCE CODES

U.S. State and Territory coding information included in this appendix will be 

incorporated into the revised NCHS geographic coding manual (Instruction Manual 

Part 8) at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/im.htm. 

VALID VALUES

U.S. States

Alabama AL

Alaska AK

Arizona AZ

Arkansas AR

California CA

Colorado CO

Connecticut CT

Delaware DE

District of Columbia DC

Florida FL

Georgia GA

Hawaii HI

Idaho ID

Illinois IL

Indiana IN

Iowa IA

Kansas KS

Kentucky KY

Louisiana LA

Maine ME

Maryland MD

Massachusetts MA

Michigan MI

Minnesota MN

Mississippi MS

Missouri MO

Montana MT

Nebraska NE

Nevada NV

New Hampshire NH

New Jersey NJ

New Mexico NM

New York NY
Appendix D

Page of 4

4/28/2002

New York City YC (NOTE: not a standard FIPS code)

North Carolina NC

North Dakota ND

Ohio OH

Oklahoma OK

Oregon OR

Pennsylvania PA

Rhode Island RI

South Carolina SC

South Dakota SD

Tennessee TN

Texas TX

Utah UT

Vermont VT

Virginia VA

Washington WA

West Virginia WV

Wisconsin WI

Wyoming WY

U.S. Territories

American Samoa AS

Federated States of Micronesia FM

Marshall Islands MH

Northern Marianas MP

Palau PW

Puerto Rico PR

Virgin Islands VI

Guam GU

Source: FIPS 5-2 [http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/]

Canadian Provinces

Alberta AB

British Columbia BC

Manitoba MB

New Brunswick NB

Newfoundland NF

Northwest Territories NT

Nova Scotia NS

Nunavut NU

Ontario ON

Prince Edward Island PE
Appendix D

Page of 4

4/28/2002

Quebec QC

Saskatchewan SK

Yukon Territory YT

Source: Canadian Postal Codes

Unknown or blank ZZ
Appendix E

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4/28/2002

APPENDIX E

Decedent’s Educational Level Selection Card

Decedent’s Formal Education Level

What was the highest degree or level of school the decedent COMPLETED? 

Choose only ONE. If the decedent is currently enrolled, mark the previous 

grade of highest degree received.

A. 8

th grade or less

B. 9

th12th grade; no diploma

C. High School Graduate or GED completed

D. Some college credit; but no degree

E. Associate Degree (for example: AA, AS)

F. Bachelor’s Degree (for example: BA, AB, BS)

G. Master’s Degree (for example: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)

H. Doctorate or Professional Degree (for example: PhD, EdD, MD,DDS, 

DVM, LLB, JD)
Appendix F

Page 1 of 1

4/28/2002

APPENDIX F

Decedent’s Hispanic Origin Selection Card

Please review all the responses below. Please pick the response that best 

describes whether the decedent is Spanish/Hispanic/Latino. Choose the NO 

response is the decedent is not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

A. No, Not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

B. Yes, Puerto Rican

C. Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano

D. Yes, Cuban

E. Yes, Other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

If your choice is E. (Other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino) please specify.
Appendix G

Page 1 of 1

4/28/2002

APPENDIX G 

TABLE OF HISPANIC ORIGINS

Available on the Revision Website

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/vital_certs_rev.htm

Code List – Hispanic Code Titles (Acrobat file

 and EXCEL table)
Appendix H

Page 1 of 1

11/13/2001

APPENDIX H

Decedent’s Race(s) Selection Card

Decedent’s Race(s)

What is the item(s) below that best describes what race(s) the decedent 

considered himself/herself to be. Select all that apply.

A. White

B. Black or African American

C. American Indian or Alaska Native

Please provide the name of the enrolled or principle tribe

D. Asian Indian

E. Chinese

F. Filipino

G. Japanese

H. Korean

I. Vietnamese

J. Other Asian-----Please Specify

K. Native Hawaiian

L. Guamanian or Chamorro

M. Samoan

N. Other Pacific Islander-----Please Specify

O. Other-----Please Specify
Appendix I

Page 1 of 1

11/13/2001

APPENDIX I

TABLE OF RACE CODES

Available on the Revision Website

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/vital_certs_rev.htm

Code List – Race Code Titles (Acrobat file and

 EXCEL table)
Appendix J

Page 1 of 2

11/13/2001

APPENDIX J

TRANSPORTS

Types of vehicle

Motor vehicle designed primarily for on-road use

Automobile (Car, minivan, minibus)

Truck (Pickup)

Van

Heavy transport vehicle (Tractor-trailer truck, panel truck)

Bus

Motor vehicle (Stated as Motor Vehicle or MV)

Stated “Traffic Accident ”,no vehicle specified on record

Motorcycle

Motorcycle, motorscooter (Includes motorized bicycle, motorcycle with sidecar)

Motorized tricycle

Moped

Work vehicle (in transit)

Industrial vehicle (Coal car, logging car, battery powered vehicle, baggage truck, other)

Tractor

Other agricultural vehicle (Combine, harvester)

Construction vehicle (Road scraper, road grader, backhoe, snowplow)

Bulldozer

Recreational Vehicle

All-terrain vehicle (ATV)

Off-road vehicle (Go cart, minibike, dirt bike, race car, three wheeler, golf cart)

Snowmobile

Other (in transit)

Other ground transport (Army tank, hovercraft over land)

Water craft

Merchant Ship

Passenger ship (Ferry, liner)

Ship, unspecified

Fishing Boat, powered

Fishing Boat, unpowered

Fishing Boat, unspecified

Sailboat

Yacht

Canoe or Kayak

Inflatable craft (Unpowered, raft)

Water-skis
Appendix J

Page 2 of 2

11/13/2001

Other powered watercraft (Hovercraft over water, jetski, powerboat)

Other unpowered watercraft (Surf board, wind surfer)

Unspecified watercraft (Boat)

Aircraft -Powered

Helicopter (Non-military)

Ultralight (Microlight, powered glider)

Private airplane

Commercial airplane (Commercial jet,747,etc.)

Military aircraft (C-130,F-15,military helicopter, etc.)

Space craft

Other specified powered aircraft (Airplane, jet, Cessna, blimp, etc.)

Aircraft -Unpowered and Unspecified

Balloon

Hang glider

Glider

Parachute

Other specified non-powered aircraft (Kite)

Unspecified non-powered aircraft

Unspecified aircraft

Railed Vehicle

Railway Train (Subway)

Streetcar (Cable car on rails, tram, trolley)

Other vehicles

Cable car (Not on rails or unspecified)

Ski lift, gondola

Ice yacht, land yacht

Other vehicle

Non motor vehicle

Pedal cycle (Bicycle, tricycle)

Other non motor vehicle

Animal

Animal being ridden

Animal drawn vehicle

Other animal

Objects set in motion by

Railway train

Motor vehicle

Non-motor vehicle
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

APPENDIX K

DICTIONARY TERMS

Abdomen

Abdominal

Abdominalgia

Abdominalis

Abdominis

Abdominocentesis

Abdominoperineal

Abdominorectal

Abdominosigmoidal

Abdominothoracic

Abdominovesical

Abduction

Aberrant

Aberration

Ablatio

Ablation

Abnormal

Abnormalities

Abnormality

Abortion

Abortus

Above

Abrasion

Abrasions

Abruptio

Abruption

Abs

Abscess

Abscessed

Abscesses

Absence

Absent

Absinthe

Absinthemia

Absinthism

Absorption

Abstinence

Abuse

Abused

Abuser

Acantholysis

Acanthosis

Accelerated

Access

Accessory

Accreta

Accretio

Acephalia

Acephalic

Acephalism

Acephalus

Acephaly

Acetabular

Acetabulum

Acetaminophen

Acetone

Acetonemia

Acetylene

Acetylsalicylic

Achalasia

Achlorhydric

Achondroplasia

Achondroplastic

Achylia

Acid

Acidemia

Acidity

Acidophil

Acidosis

Acnitis

Acoustic

Acquired

Acrania

Acrocephaly

Acrodermatitis

Acromegalia

Acromegaly

Acromial

Acromicria

Acromioclavicular

Acromion

Acropathy

Acroscleroderma

Acrosclerosis

Acteryl

Actinic

Actinobacter

Actinobacterial

Actinomycosis

Actinomycotic

Action

Active

Activity

Actually

Acute

Adair

Adams

Addiction

Addison

Addisonian

Addisons

Adenitis

Adenocancer

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinomatosis

Adenocystic

Adenofibroma

Adenoid

Adenoidectomy

Adenoids

Adenoma

Adenomatoid

Adenomatous

Adenopathy

Adenosarcoma

Adenosquamous

Adenoviral

Adherent

Adhesion

Adhesions

Adhesive

Adiposis

Adiposity

Administration

Adnexa

Adrenal

Adrenalectomy

Adrenalitis

Adrenitis

Adrenocortical

Adrenocorticotrophic

Adrenogenital

Adriamycin

Adult

Advanced

Adventitial

Adverse

Advil

Adynamic

Aeration

Aerobacter

Aerobic

Aerogenes

Aerosol

Aeruginosa

Affair

Affecting

Affective

Afferent

Afibrinogenemia

Agalactia

Agammaglobulinemia

Aganglionic

Aganglionosis

Age

Aged

Agenesis

Agent

Agglutinin

Aggravated

Aggressive

Aging

Agitans

Agitation

Agnogenic

Agonal

Agoraphobia

Agranulocytic

Agranulocytosis

Agyria

Ailment

Airway

Airways

Akinetic

Alactasia

Alactasis

Alba

Albers

Albertini

Albicans

Albright

Albumin

Alcohol

Alcoholic

Alcoholism

Aldrich

Aleukemic

Alexanders

Alimentary

Alimentation

Alkalemia

Alkali

Alkaline

Alkalosis

Alkaseltzer

Alkeran
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Allergic

Allergy

Allograft

Alopecia

Alpha

Alports

Altered

Aluminum

Alvarez

Alveolar

Alveolarcapillary

Alveoli

Alveolitis

Alveolus

Alzheimer

Alzheimers

Amantadine

Amaurosis

Amaurotic

Amblyopia

Ambulate

Amebic

Ameloblastoma

American

Aminoglycoside

Aminophylline

Amiodarone

Amitriptyline

Ammonia

Amnesia

Amniocentesis

Amnion

Amnionitis

Amniotic

Amobarbital

Amoxapine

Amoxicillin

Amphetamine

Ampicillin

Ampulla

Ampullary

Amputated

Amputation

Amputations

Amputee

Amyelencephalus

Amyelia

Amyloid

Amyloidosis

Amyoplasia

Amyotonic

Amyotrophia

Amyotrophic

Amyotrophy

Anaerobic

Anafranil

Anal

Analbuminemia

Analgesia

Analgesic

Analgesics

Analyses

Analysis

Anaphylactic

Anaphylactoid

Anaphylaxis

Anaplastic

Anarthria

Anarthritic

Anasarca

Anastomic

Anastomosis

Anastomotic

Ancient

Andersens

Andersons

Anemia

Anemic

Anencephalia

Anencephalic

Anencephalus

Anencephaly

Anesthesia

Anesthetic

Aneurysm

Aneurysmal

Aneurysmectomy

Aneurysms

Angiitis

Angina

Anginal

Angioblastic

Angioblastoma

Angiodysplasia

Angioedema

Angioendotheliomatosis

Angiogram

Angiography

Angioimmunoblastic

Angioma

Angiomatosis

Angiomyosarcoma

Angioneurosis

Angioneurotic

Angiopathy

Angioplasty

Angiosarcoma

Angiosclerosis

Angiospasm

Angiospastic

Angle

Angulation

Anhydration

Anhydremia

Anicteric

Anitratum

Ankle

Ankles

Ankylopoietica

Ankylosed

Ankylosing

Ankylosis

Annular

Annuloplasty

Annulus

Anomalies

Anomalous

Anomaly

Anorectal

Anorectum

Anorexia

Anoxemia

Anoxemic

Anoxia

Anoxic

Antagonist

Antecubital

Antepartum

Anteriolateral

Anterior

Anterioseptal

Antero

Anterolateral

Anteroseptal

Anteversion

Anthonys

Anthracosilicosis

Anthracosis

Antibiotic

Antibodies

Antibody

Anticoagulant

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulation

Anticonvulsant

Antidepressant

Antidepressants

Antidiuretic

Antifreeze

Antigen

Antihistamine

Antiinflammatory

Antineoplastic

Antithrombin

Antitoxin

Antitrypsin

Antitumor

Antons

Antral

Antrectomy

Antritis

Antrogastric

Antrum

Anuria

Anuric

Anus

Anxiety

Aorta

Aortailiac

Aortic

Aorticopulmonary

Aortitis

Aorto

Aortobifemoral

Aortocaval

Aortocoronary

Aortocutaneous

Aortoenteric

Aortofemoral

Aortogram

Aortoiliac

Aortojejunal

Aortoplasty

Aortopopliteal

Aortopulmonary

Aortorenal

Aortosaphenous

Apathetic

Apepsia

Aperta

Aperts

Apertures

Apex

Apgar

Aphagia

Aphasia

Aphasic

Aphemia

Aphonia

Apical

Aplasia

Aplastic

Apnea

Apneic

Apocrine

Aponeurosis

Apoplectic

Apoplectiform

Apoplexia

Apoplexy

Appendage

Appendectomy

Appendiceal

Appendicitis
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Appendix

Appetite

Apprehension

Apprehensive

Apraxia

Aqueduct

Arachnitis

Arachnodactyly

Arachnoid

Arachnoiditis

Arch

Area

Aregenerative

Areola

Arhinencephaly

Arias

Arm

Armenian

Arms

Arnold

Arrest

Arrested

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmic

Arrillaga

Arsenic

Arsenical

Arsenism

Arterial

Arteriectasis

Arteries

Arterio

Arteriocapillary

Arteriocardiorenal

Arteriofibrosis

Arteriogram

Arteriography

Arteriolar

Arterioles

Arteriolitis

Arteriolonephrosclerosis

Arteriolosclerosis

Arteriomesenteric

Arterionephrosclerosis

Arterioocclusive

Arteriopathic

Arteriopathy

Arteriorenal

Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerotic

Arterioseptal

Arteriospasm

Arteriosus

Arteriotomy

Arteriovascular

Arteriovenous

Arterioventricular

Arteritis

Artery

Arthritic

Arthritis

Arthrofibrosis

Arthropathy

Arthroplasty

Arthrosis

Arthus

Artificial

Arytenoid

Asbestos

Asbestosis

Ascariasis

Ascending

Aschoffs

Ascites

Ascitic

Aseptic

Asian

Asiderotic

Aspergilloma

Aspergillosis

Aspergillus

Asphyxia

Asphyxial

Asphyxiated

Asphyxiating

Asphyxiation

Aspirated

Aspiration

Aspirational

Aspirin

Asplenia

Astasia

Asterixis

Asthenia

Asthma

Asthmatic

Asthmaticus

Astroblastoma

Astrocytoma

Astroglioma

Asymmetric

Asymmetrical

Asynergia

Asynergy

Asystole

Asystolic

Ataxia

Ataxic

Atelectasis

Atelocardia

Atelomyelia

Atherogenesis

Atheroma

Atheromatosis

Atheromatous

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic

Athetoid

Athetosis

Athletes

Athyrea

Athyroidism

Atlanto

Atlantoaxial

Atlantooccipital

Atlas

Atonia

Atonic

Atony

Atopic

Atransferrinemia

Atresia

Atrial

Atrioventrical

Atrioventricular

Atrioventriculare

Atrium

Atrophia

Atrophic

Atrophodermia

Atrophy

Atropine

Attack

Attacks

Attempt

Attempted

Attendance

Attending

Attention

Attrition

Atypical

Auditory

Aura

Aureus

Auricle

Auricles

Auricular

Auriculoventricular

Austin

Australia

Autism

Autoantibodies

Autodigestion

Autoerythrocyte

Autohemolysis

Autoimmune

Autoinfection

Autointoxication

Autolysis

Automatism

Autonomic

Autopsy

Autosensitivity

Autosomal

Autosomes

Autotopagnosia

Autotoxemia

Avascular

Avellis

Avian

Aviators

Avitaminosis

Avium

Avulsion

Axial

Axialis

Axilla

Axillary

Axillo

Axillofemoral

Axis

Axon

Ayalas

Ayerza

Ayerzas

Azotemia

Azygos

Babinski

Babinskis

Baby

Bacilli

Bacillus

Back

Bacteremia

Bacteremic

Bacteria

Bacterial

Bacterioides

Bacterium

Bacteriuria

Bacteroides

Bad

Bag

Balance

Ball

Balloon

Band

Banding

Bands

Bantis

Bar

Barbital

Barbiturate

Bardet
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Barium

Barre

Barrett

Barretts

Barsony

Bartholin

Bartholins

Bartons

Bartters

Basal

Basalnuclear

Base

Basement

Basilar

Basophil

Basophilism

Bathycephaly

Batten

Battens

Battered

Battey

Baumgarten

Beats

Bechterew

Beck

Beckwith

Bedfast

Bedrest

Bedridden

Bedsore

Bedsores

Bee

Beer

Behcets

Belladonna

Bells

Belly

Below

Benedikts

Benign

Bennetts

Benzocaine

Benzodiazepine

Bernard

Bernheims

Berry

Besnier

Beta

Beverage

Bibasilar

Bicuspid

Biedl

Bielschowsky

Biemonds

Biermers

Bifascicular

Bifemoral

Bifida

Bifidum

Bifrontal

Bifurcation

Bilateral

Bilaterally

Bile

Biliary

Bilious

Bilirubinemia

Billroth

Billroths

Bilobar

Bing

Bioprosthetic

Biopsy

Bipolar

Birth

Birthweight

Bite

Bitemporal

Biventricular

Bjork

Black

Blackfan

Bladder

Blade

Blalock

Blalock-Taussig

Bland

Blast

Blastic

Blastoma

Blastomycosis

Blastomycotic

Bleach

Bleb

Bleed

Bleeder

Bleeding

Bleomycin

Blind

Blindness

Bloch

Block

Blockage

Blocked

Blocking

Blood

Bloodstream

Bloody

Bloom

Blowout

Blunt

Bochdalek

Bodechtel

Bodies

Bodily

Body

Boeck

Boecks

Boerhaaves

Bogaerts

Bone

Bones

Bonnevie

Bony

Borderline

Bordetella

Born

Botalli

Both

Botulism

Bound

Bout

Bouveret

Bouverets

Bovine

Bovis

Bowel

Boydii

Brachial

Brachycardia

Brachycephaly

Brady

Bradyarrhythmia

Bradycardia

Bradypnea

Bradytachyarrhythmia

Brailsford

Brain

Brainstem

Branch

Branhamella

Bravais

Brazilian

Breakdown

Breast

Breasts

Breath

Breathe

Breathing

Breathlessness

Breech

Brennemanns

Bright

Brights

Brittle

Broad

Brocas

Brock

Brocks

Brodies

Broke

Broken

Bronchi

Bronchial

Bronchiectasis

Bronchioalveolar

Bronchiogenic

Bronchiolar

Bronchiole

Bronchiolitis

Bronchitis

Broncho

Bronchoalveolar

Bronchoalveolitis

Bronchocutaneous

Bronchoesophageal

Bronchogenic

Bronchomediastinal

Bronchopleural

Bronchopleuromediastinal

Bronchopneumonia

Bronchopneumonitis

Bronchopulmonary

Bronchoscope

Bronchoscopy

Bronchospasm

Bronchospastic

Bronchostatic

Bronchostenosis

Bronchus

Bronze

Bronzed

Brow

Brown

Browns

Brugschs

Bruise

Bruised

Bruises Bruising

Bubbly

Buccal

Budd

Buergers

Bulb

Bulbar

Bulbourethral

Bulimia

Bulla

Bullae

Bullosa

Bullosum

Bullous

Bundle
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Burden

Burkitts

Burn

Burned

Burnetts

Burning

Burns

Burnt

Burr

Bursa

Burst

Bursted

Busulfan

Butabarbital

Butane

Butterfly

Buttock

Buttocks

Bypass

Bypasses

Cachexia

Cadaver

Caesarean

Cafe

Caffeine

Caffeys

Cage

Calcaneus

Calcareous

Calcemia

Calcific

Calcification

Calcified

Calcinosis

Calcium

Calciuria

Calculi

Calculous

Calculus

Calf

Callosum

Caloric

Calorie

Calvarium

Calyx

Campylobacter

Canal

Canavans

Cancer

Cancerous

Candida

Candidal

Candidemia

Candidiasis

Cannulation

Canthus

Capillaries

Capillary

Capitellum

Caplan

Capoten

Capsular

Capsulatus

Capsule

Capsulitis

Carbamazepine

Carbohydrate

Carbon

Carboxyhemoglobin

Carboxyhemoglobinemia

Carcinoid

Carcinoma

Carcinomatosis

Carcinomatous

Carcinosarcoma

Cardia

Cardiac

Cardiacpulmonary

Cardialgia

Cardiectasis

Cardio

Cardioauditory

Cardiocerebral

Cardiochalasia

Cardiocirculatory

Cardioesophageal

Cardioesophagus

Cardiogenic

Cardiomalacia

Cardiomegalia

Cardiomegaly

Cardiomyopathy

Cardionephritis

Cardionephropathy

Cardionephrosis

Cardiopathy

Cardiopulmonary

Cardiorenal

Cardiorenovascular

Cardiorespiratory

Cardiosclerosis

Cardiospasm

Cardiotomy

Cardiotonic

Cardiovascular

Cardioversion

Carditis

Cardizem

Caries

Carina

Carinatum

Carinii

Carious

Carotid

Carotids

Carpal

Carpenter

Carpenters

Carpus

Cartilage

Caseous

Castlemans

Catabolism

Catalepsy

Cataract

Catarrhal

Catarrhalis

Catastrophe

Catastrophic

Catastrophy

Catatonia

Catatonic

Catheter

Catheterization

Cattan

Cauda

Cause

Causes

Caustic

Cava

Caval

Cavernosum

Cavernous

Cavitary

Cavitation

Cavity

Cazenaves

Cebocephaly

Cecal

Cecectomy

Cecitis

Cecosigmoidal

Cecostomy

Cecum

Celiac

Celiotomy

Cell

Cells

Cellular

Cellularity

Cellulitis

Cemented

Center

Centers

Central

Centriacinar

Centrilobular

Centrolobar

Cepacia

Cephalgia

Cephalhematoma

Cephalic

Cephalitis

Cephalocele

Cephalomalacia

Cerebellar

Cerebelli

Cerebellopontine

Cerebellum

Cerebral

Cerebralvascular

Cerebri

Cerebritis

Cerebro

Cerebrocerebellar

Cerebrocranial

Cerebroembolus

Cerebrohepatorenal

Cerebromacular

Cerebromalacia

Cerebromeningeal

Cerebroretinal

Cerebrorhinorrhea

Cerebrospinal

Cerebrovascular

Cerebrum

Ceroid

Cerulea

Cervical

Cervicodorsal

Cervicosigmoidal

Cervicothoracic

Cervicovesical

Cervix

Cesarean

Cessation

Cestans

Chain

Chalasia

Chamber

Change

Changes

Channel

Charcoal

Charcot

Charcots

Charred

Chauffard

Chauffeurs

Cheek

Chelonei

Chemical

Chemistry

Chemodectoma
Appendix K

Page 6 of 38

11/13/2001

Chemotherapeutic

Chemotherapy

Chest

Cheyne

Chiari

Chiaris

Chiasma

Chicken

Child

Childbirth

Childhood

Chills

Chin

Chloral

Chlordiazepoxide

Chlorine

Chloroform

Chloroma

Chloromas

Chlorotic

Chlorpheniramine

Chlorpromazine

Choanal

Choked

Cholangiectasis

Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinona

Cholangiogram

Cholangiohepatoma

Cholangiolitic

Cholangiolitis

Cholangioma

Cholangitic

Cholangitis

Cholecystdocholithiasis

Cholecystectomy

Cholecystic

Cholecystitis

Cholecystocolonic

Cholecystolithiasis

Cholecystotomy

Choledochal

Choledochitis

Choledochoduodenal

Choledochoduodenostomy

Choledochojejunostomy

Choledocholith

Choledocholithiasis

Choledochostomy

Cholelithiasis

Cholelithotomy

Cholemia

Cholemic

Cholera

Cholestasis

Cholestatic

Cholesteremia

Cholesterol

Cholesterolemia

Chondrocalcinosis

Chondrodysplasia

Chondrodystrophia

Chondrodystrophy

Chondrolysis

Chondromalacia

Chondromatosis

Chondrosarcoma

Chordae

Chordoma

Chordotomy

Chorea

Choreiform

Choreoathetosis

Chorioamnionitis

Choriocarcinoma

Chorioepithelioma

Chorionic

Chorioretinitis

Choroid

Choroidal

Christian

Chromate

Chromates

Chromogenic

Chromophobe

Chromosomal

Chromosome

Chromosomes

Chronic

Chronica

Churg

Chylothorax

Chylous

Cicatrix

Cigarette

Cigarettes

Ciliary

Circle

Circulating

Circulation

Circulatory

Circumferential

Circumflex

Circumscribed

Cirrhosis

Cirrhotic

Citrobacter

Clamping

Classical

Claude

Claudication

Clavicle

Clavicular

Clear

Cleared

Cleft

Clip

Clipping

Clitoris

Cloaca

Cloacae

Cloacal

Cloacogenic

Clomipramine

Clonic

Clorox

Close

Closed

Clostridia

Clostridial

Clostridium

Closure

Closures

Clot

Clots

Clotted

Clotting

Cloverleaf

Clubfoot

Clumsiness

Coagulation

Coagulopathy

Coal

Coalworkers

Coarctation

Cobalt

Cocaine

Cocainism

Cocci

Coccidiodomycosis

Coccidioidal

Coccidioidomycosis

Coccygeal

Coccyx

Cockayne

Cockaynes

Codeine

Coil

Coin

Colchicine

Colectomy

Coli

Colic

Coliform

Colitis

Collagen

Collapse

Collapsed

Collar

Collecting

Colles

Colliers

Collins

Colliquative

Colloid

Colocutaneous

Coloenteric

Coloenteritis

Colombian

Colon

Colonic

Colonoscope

Colonoscopy

Color

Colorectal

Colostomy

Colovaginal

Colovesical

Column

Coma

Comatose

Comatosed

Comatosis

Combat

Combined

Combs

Combustiformis

Combustion

Commando-Procedure

Commissure

Commissurotomy

Commode

Common

Commune

Communicating

Communis

Compensation

Compensatory

Complete

Completion

Complex

Complicating

Complication

Complications

Composite

Compound

Compressed

Compression

Compressional

Compromise

Compromised

Compulsive

Computer

Computerized
Appendix K

Page 7 of 38

11/13/2001

Concealed

Concentration

Concentric

Conception

Concha

Concussion

Condition

Conduction

Conduit

Confirmation

Confluent

Confused

Confusion

Confusional

Congenita

Congenital

Congenitally

Congested

Congestion

Congestive

Conglomerate

Conjoined

Conjunctiva

Conjunctival

Conjunctivitis

Connection

Connective

Conscious

Consciousness

Consequent

Consolidation

Constipation

Constitutional

Constriction

Constrictive

Consumption

Consumptive

Contact Contents

Continua

Continual

Contraceptive

Contracted

Contraction

Contracture

Contractures

Contralateral

Contrast

Contrecoup

Control

Controlled

Contused

Contusion

Contusions

Conus

Convalescent

Conversion

Convulsion

Convulsions

Convulsive

Cooleys

Coopers

Copper

Cor

Coras

Cord

Cordis

Cordotomy

Cords

Corkscrew

Corneal

Coronal

Coronaries

Coronary

Corpus

Correct

Corrected

Correction

Corrosive

Cortex

Cortical

Corticoadrenal

Corticosteroid

Corticosteroids

Corticostriatal

Cortisol

Cortisone

Costal

Costochondral

Cotton

Cotwin

Cough

Coughing

Coumadin

Coumarin

Count

Cowpers

Coxsackie

Crack

Cradle

Cramp

Cramps

Cranial

Craniectomy

Cranio

Craniocarpotarsal

Craniocerebral

Craniocervical

Cranioclasis

Cranioencephalon

Craniofacial

Craniometaphyseal

Craniopharyngeal

Craniopharyngioma

Craniotomy

Craniovascular

Cranium

Creation

Cremation

Creutzfeldt

Creveld

Cricoarytenoid

Cricoid

Crigler

Cripple

Crippled

Crippling

Crisis

Crohns

Cross

Croup

Crst

Crural

Cruris

Crush

Crushed

Crushing

Cruveilhier

Cryofibrinogenemia

Cryoglobulinemia

Cryoglobulinemic

Cryptococcal

Cryptococcic

Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcus

Cryptogenetic

Cryptogenic

Cryptosporidiosis

Curettage

Curlings

Curse

Curvature

Cushing

Cushingoid

Cushings

Cushion

Cusp

Cusps

Cut

Cutanea

Cutaneous

Cutis

Cuts

Cyanide

Cyanosis

Cyanotic

Cycle

Cyclophosphamide

Cyclops

Cylindrical

Cylindroma

Cyst

Cystadenocarcinoma

Cystadenoma

Cystectomy

Cystic

Cystica

Cystitis

Cystocele

Cystoides

Cystolithiasis

Cystoprostatourethrectomy

Cystopyelitis

Cystosarcoma

Cystoscopy

Cystostomy

Cystourethritis

Cystourethrocele

Cysts

Cytoma

Cytomegalic

Cytomegaloviral

Cytomegalovirus

Cytoxan

Dactylitis

Dalmane

Damage

Dance

Dandy

Danlos

Darier

Darlings

Darvocet

Darvon

Dawsons

Dead

Deaf

Deafmutism

Deafness

Death

Debanding

Debilitated

Debilitating

Debilitation

Debility

Debribement

Debridement

Decadron

Decapitation

Decerebrate

Decerebration

Decline

Decompensated

Decompensation
Appendix K

Page 8 of 38

11/13/2001

Decomposed

Decomposing

Decomposition

Decompression

Decompressive

Decreased

Decubital

Decubiti

Decubitus

Deep

Defect

Defective

Defects

Defense

Deferens

Deferentitis

Deferred

Defibrination

Deficiency

Deficient

Deficit

Deformans

Deformed

Deforming

Deformities

Deformity

Degeneration

Degenerative

Deglutition

Degos

Degree

Dehiscence

Dehydration

Dejerine

Delayed

Deletion

Delirious

Delirium

Delivered

Delivery

Delusions

Dementia

Demerol

Demyelinating

Demyelination

Demyelinization

Denatured

Density

Dental

Denver

Dependence

Dependency

Dependent

Depleted

Depletion

Depraved

Depressant

Depressed

Depression

Depressive

Deprivation

Derangement

Derangements

Derma

Dermatitis

Dermatofibroma

Dermatofibrosarcoma

Dermatomyositis

Dermatosclerosis

Dermatosis

Dermoid

Descending

Desert

Desipramine

Despondency

Despondent

Desquamative

Destruction

Destructive

Detached

Detachment

Deterioration

Determined

Devascularization

Developing

Development

Developmental

Device

Dextra

Dextrocardia

Dextroversion

Diabetes

Diabetic

Diabeticorum

Diagnosis

Diagnostic

Dialysis

Diamond

Diaphragm

Diaphragmatic

Diarrhea

Diarrheal

Diastolic

Diatheses

Diathesis

Diazepam

Died

Diencephalic

Diet

Dietary

Dietetic

Differentiated

Difficele

Difficile

Difficult

Difficulty

Diffusa

Diffuse

Diffusely

Digestive

Dighton

Digitalis

Digitoxin

Digoxin

Dilantin

Dilatation

Dilated

Dilation

Dilutional

Diminished

Dimitri

Dimorphic

Dioxide

Diphenhydramine

Diphenylhydantoin

Diphtheria

Diplegia

Diplegic

Diplococcal

Diplococci

Diplococcus

Direct

Disability

Disaccharidase

Disaccharide

Disarticulation

Disaster

Disc

Discharge

Discitis

Discogenic

Discoid

Disconnected

Disease

Diseased

Diskitis

Dislocated

Dislocation

Dislocations

Dislodged

Dislodgement

Dislodgment

Dismemberment

Disopyramide

Disorder

Disorientation

Displaced

Displacement

Disruption

Dissected

Dissecting

Dissection

Disseminated

Dissociation

Dissociative

Distal

Distant

Distension

Distillate

Distortion

Distress

Distribution

Disturbance

Disturbed

Diuretic

Diversion

Diverticula

Diverticular

Diverticulectomy

Diverticuli

Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis

Diverticulum

Diverting

Dizziness

Dolens

Domestic

Dominant

Doriden

Dormant

Dorsal

Dorsalis

Double

Douglas

Douloureux

Downs

Doxepin

Doxylamine

Drager

Drain

Drainage

Draining

Drank

Dressers

Dresslers

Drink

Drinkers

Drinking

Dromedary

Dropped

Dropsy

Drown

Drowned

Drowning
Appendix K

Page 9 of 38

11/13/2001

Drowsiness

Drug

Drugs

Drunkenness

Dry

Dubin

Duchenne

Duchennes

Duct

Ductal

Ducts

Ductus

Dukes

Dumping

Duodenal

Duodenectomy

Duodenitis

Duodenocholangitis

Duodenum

Dura

Dural

Duration

Dust

Dwarf

Dwarfism

Dyazide

Dye

Dying

Dyke

Dysarthria

Dysautonomic

Dyscrasia

Dysentery

Dyserythropoietic

Dysfunction

Dysfunctional

Dysgammaglobulinemia

Dysgenesis

Dysgerminoma

Dyshematopoietic

Dyskaryosis

Dyskinesia

Dyskinetic

Dyslipidemia

Dysmaturity

Dysmotility

Dysmyelopoetic

Dysmyelopoietic

Dyspepsia

Dysphagia

Dysphasia

Dysplasia

Dyspnea

Dyspraxia

Dysrhythmia

Dystachycardia

Dystonia

Dystrophy

Dysuria

Eagle

Eales

Ear

Earlobe

Eat

Eating

Eaton

Ebsteins

Ecchymosis

Echinococcus

Eclampsia

Eclamptic

Ectasia

Ectasis

Ectocardia

Ectodermal

Ectopia

Ectopic

Ectopics

Ectopy

Ectropion

Eczema

Eddowes

Edema

Edematous

Edwards

Effect

Effects

Efferent

Effort

Effusion

Ehlers

Eisenmenger

Eisenmengers

Ejaculatory

Elastomyofibrosis

Elavil

Elbow

Elderly

Elective

Electric

Electrical

Electrocardiogram

Electroconvulsive

Electrocuted

Electrocution

Electroencephalogram

Electrolyte

Electrolytes

Electrolytic

Electromechanical

Electromyogram

Electronic

Electroshock

Elements

Elephantiasis

Elevated

Elevation

Ellis

Ellison

Elongated

Elongation

Elucidated

Emaciation

Embarrassment

Embolectomy

Emboli

Embolic

Embolism

Embolisms

Embolization

Embolus

Embryoma

Embryonal

Emergency

Emesis

Eminence

Emotional

Emphysema

Emphysematous

Empty

Empyema

Encephalitic

Encephalitis

Encephalocele

Encephalocutaneous

Encephalomalacia

Encephalomeningitis

Encephalomeningocele

Encephalomeningomyelitis

Encephalomeningopathy

Encephalomyelitis

Encephalomyelocele

Encephalomyelomeningitis

Encephalomyeloneuropathy

Encephalomyelopathy

Encephalomyeloradiculo

neuritis

Encephalomyeloradiculo

pathy

Encephalopathy

Enchondroses

Endarterectomy

Endarterial

Endarteritis

Endmetriod

Endobronchial

Endocardial

Endocarditis

Endocardium

Endocervical

Endocervix

Endocrine

Endocrinopathies

Endodermal

Endogenous

Endometrial

Endometritis

Endometrium

Endomyocardial

Endomyocarditis

Endomyometritis

Endopericarditis

Endoprosthesis

Endoscopic

Endoscopy

Endoseptic

Endothelial

Endotoxemia

Endotoxic

Endotoxicosis

Endotoxin

Endotracheal

Endscopic

Endstage

Enema

Engelmanns

Engorgement

Enlarged

Enlargement

Entercolitis

Enterectomy

Enteric

Enteritis

Entero

Enterobacter

Enterobacterial

Enterocele

Enterococcal

Enterococci

Enterococcus

Enterocolic

Enterocolitica

Enterocolitis

Enterocutaneous

Enterogastritis

Enteropathy

Enteroperineal

Enterorrhaphy

Enterostomy

Enterovaginal

Enterovesical

Enterovesicular

Enteroviral

Enterovirus
Appendix K

Page 10 of 38

11/13/2001

Entire

Entrapment

Enucleated

Enucleation

Enuresis

Environment

Environmental

Enzymatic

Enzyme

Eosinophil

Eosinophilia

Eosinophilic

Ependymitis

Ependymoblastoma

Ependymoma

Ephedrine

Epicardial

Epicarditis

Epicardium

Epicystitis

Epidemic

Epidermal

Epidermidis

Epidermoid

Epidermolysis

Epididymis

Epididymitis

Epididymoorchitis

Epidura

Epidural

Epigastric

Epigastritis

Epigastrium

Epigastrocele

Epiglottic

Epiglottiditis

Epiglottis

Epiglottitis

Epignathus

Epilepsia

Epilepsy

Epileptic

Epilepticus

Epileptiform

Epileptoid

Epiloia

Epipharyngitis

Epiphyseal

Epiploic

Episode

Episodes

Episodic

Episplenitis

Epistaxis

Epithelial

Epithelioid

Epithelioma

Epsteins

Equanil

Equina

Equivalent

Erdheims

Eroded

Erosion

Erosive

Error

Erupted

Eruption

Erythema

Erythematodes

Erythematosis

Erythematosus

Erythematous

Erythremia

Erythremic

Erythroblastic

Erythroblastophthisis

Erythroblastosis

Erythrocyte

Erythrocytes

Erythrocythemia

Erythrocytic

Erythroderma

Erythrogenesis

Erythroid

Erythroleukemia

Erythromegalocaryocytic

Erythrophagocytosis

Escape

Escaped

Escharotomies

Escharotomy

Escherichia

Esophageal

Esophagectasis

Esophagectomy

Esophagismus

Esophagitis

Esophagobronchial

Esophagogastrectomy

Esophagogastric

Esophagogastritis

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Esophagogastrostomy

Esophagojejunostomy

Esophagomalacia

Esophagoscopy

Esophagotracheal

Esophagus

Essential

Estrogen

Ethanol

Ethanolic

Ethanolism

Ethchlorvynol

Ether

Ethmoid

Ethmoidal

Ethyl

Ethylene

Ethylism

Etiology

European

Eustachian

Evacuate

Evacuated

Evacuation

Evans

Event

Eventration

Eversion

Evisceration

Ewing

Ewings

Exacerbation

Exaggerated

Exam

Examination

Excavatum

Excess

Excessive

Excessively

Exchange

Excised

Excision

Excisional

Excitation

Exencephalus

Exenteration

Exercise

Exfoliative

Exhaust

Exhaustion

Exogenous

Exomphalos

Exophthalmic

Exophthalmos

Expanding

Expansion

Exploration

Exploratory

Exposed

Exposure

Expressive

Exsanguinated

Exsanguinating

Exsanguination

Extended

Extension

Extensive

External

Extra

Extracortical

Extracorticalis

Extracranial

Extraction

Extradural

Extrahepatic

Extrapleural

Extrapyramidal

Extrasystoles

Extrasystolic

Extravaded

Extravasation

Extreme

Extremely

Extremities

Extremity

Extrinsic

Extrophy

Extroversion

Extrusion

Extubated

Extubation

Exudate

Exudative

Eye

Eyeball

Eyebrow

Eyelid

Eyes

Fabers

Fabrys

Face

Facial

Faciocephalalgia

Facioscapulohumeral

Factor

Factors

Faecalis

Failed

Failure

Fainting

Falciform

Falciparum

Fallopian

Fallot

Fallots

Fallout

False

Falx

Familial

Family

Famine
Appendix K

Page 11 of 38

11/13/2001

Fanconi

Fanconis

Farmers

Fascia

Fascial

Fasciitis

Fasciotomy

Fascitis

Fast

Fat

Fatal

Fatigue

Fatigued

Fatness

Fatty

Fauces

Faucitis

Features

Febrile

Febrilis

Fecal

Fecalith

Fed

Feeble

Feed

Feeder

Feeding

Feedings

Feet

Feichtiger

Feil

Feinmessers

Feltys

Female

Femoral

Femur

Femurs

Fenestration

Fermentation

Fetal

Fetalis

Fetomaternal

Fetus

Fever

Fiberoptic

Fibrillary

Fibrillation

Fibrinogen

Fibrinogenolysis

Fibrinogenopenia

Fibrinolysis

Fibrinolytic

Fibrinopenia

Fibrinopurulent

Fibrinous

Fibrocalcific

Fibrocaseous

Fibrocystic

Fibroelastosis

Fibroemphysema

Fibrohistiocytoma

Fibroid

Fibroids

Fibrolipoma

Fibroliposarcoma

Fibroma

Fibromatosis

Fibromuscular

Fibromyoma

Fibromyosarcoma

Fibromyositis

Fibromyxolipoma

Fibromyxosarcoma

Fibronodular

Fibropurulent

Fibrosarcoma

Fibrosing

Fibrosis

Fibrothorax

Fibrotic

Fibrous

Fibula

Fibular

Fiedlers

Field

Filling

Final

Fine

Finger

Fiorinal

Fishers

Fissure

Fistula

Fistulae

Fistulous

Fit

Fixation

Flaccid

Flail

Flailed

Flajanis

Flank

Flat

Flatulence

Fletcher

Flexion

Flexure

Floating

Floor

Floppy

Florial

Florid

Flow

Fluctuating

Fluid

Fluids

Flurazepam

Flutter

Focal

Fogarty

Folate

Fold

Folds

Foley

Folic

Folliclis

Follicular

Fontan

Food

Foot

Foramen

Forbes

Forceps

Forearm

Forefoot

Foregut

Forehead

Foreign

Foreleg

Forequarter

Formation

Former

Fossa

Fourniers

Fovilles

Fractional

Fracture

Fractured

Fractures

Fragilis

Fragility

Fragmentation

Franceschetti

Franklins

Franks

Fredrickson

Fredricksons

Freezing

Frenulum

Freon

Friction

Friderichsen

Friedlander

Friedlanders

Friedreichs

Frohlichs

Froins

Front

Frontal

Fronto

Frontonasal

Frontooccipital

Frontoparietal

Frontotemporal

Frostbite

Froze

Frozen

Fructose

Fulguration

Full

Fulminant

Fulminating

Fume

Fumes

Function

Functional

Functioning

Fundal

Fundoplication

Fundus

Fungal

Fungemia

Fungoides

Fungous

Fungus

Funiculitis

Funnel

Further

Furuncle

Fusion

Gag

Gaisbocks

Galactophoritis

Galactose

Galactosemia

Galactosuria

Galen

Gall

Gallbladder

Gallduct

Gallop

Galloping

Gallstone

Gallstones

Gamma

Gammoglobulinopathy

Gammopathy

Gamnas

Gandy

Ganglia

Ganglioglioma

Ganglion

Ganglionitis

Gangliosidosis
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Gangrene

Gangrenous

Gannister

Ganong

Gansers

Gantz

Ganz

Gardners

Gargoylism

Garres

Gartners

Gases

Gasoline

Gastralgia

Gastrectasis

Gastrectomy

Gastric

Gastrica

Gastrinoma

Gastritis

Gastro

Gastrocarcinoma

Gastrocolic

Gastrocolitis

Gastrocutaneous

Gastroduodenal

Gastroduodenitis

Gastroenteric

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenterocolic

Gastroenterocolitis

Gastroenteropathy

Gastroenteroptosis

Gastroenterostomy

Gastroesophageal

Gastroesophagitis

Gastroesphageal

Gastrointestinal

Gastrojejunal

Gastrojejunitis

Gastrojejunocolic

Gastrojejunostomy

Gastroliths

Gastroparesis

Gastropathy

Gastropexy

Gastroplasty

Gastroschisis

Gastroscopic

Gastroscopy

Gastrospasm

Gastrostaxis

Gastrostomy

Gastrotomy

Gauchers

Gehrig

Gehrigs

General

Generalized

Genes

Genetic

Geniculate

Genital

Genitalia

Genitourinary

Geophagia

Georges

Gerbodes

Gerhardts

Germ

Gestation

Gestational

Giant

Giantism

Giddiness

Gigantism

Gilberts

Gilford

Gingiva

Gingival

Gingivostomatitis

Girdle

Gland

Glands

Glandular

Glaucoma

Glioblastoma

Glioma

Gliomatosis

Gliosarcoma

Gliosis

Glissons

Global

Globinuria

Globulin

Globus

Glomangioma

Glomerular

Glomerulitis

Glomerulo

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephrosclerosis

Glomerulosclerosis

Glomus

Glossal

Glossectomy

Glossopharyngeal

Glottic

Glottis

Glucose

Glucuronyl

Glue

Gluteal

Gluten

Glutethimide

Gluteus

Glycogen

Glycogenic

Glycogenica

Glycogenosis

Glycol

Glycolipid

Glycopenia

Glycosuria

Goats

Goiter

Goldblatt

Goldblatts

Goldflam

Goltz

Gonadal

Gonadoblastoma

Gonococcal

Goodpastures

Gore

Gorlin

Gortex

Gout

Gouty

Gowers

Grade

Gradual

Graft

Grafting

Grafts

Gram

Grams

Gran

Grand

Granite

Granular

Granulocytic

Granulocytopenia

Granulocytopenic

Granuloma

Granulomatosis

Granulomatous

Granulosa

Gravel

Graves

Gravis

Great

Greater

Greenfields

Greenstick

Grippe

Groin

Grosong

Gross

Group

Growth

Grubers

Gubler

Guerin

Guglielmos

Guillain

Gullet

Gulls

Gum

Gumma

Gunns

Gunshot

Gut

Guttman

Gvh

Gynecologic

Gynecological

Gyri

Habit

Habits

Habitual

Hageman

Hagie

Hailey

Hair

Hairy

Hallerman

Hallopeaus

Hallucinosis

Hallux

Haloperidol

Halothane

Hamartoblastoma

Hamartoma

Hamman

Hammer

Hand

Handicapped

Handle

Handling

Hands

Hanged

Hanging

Hangover

Hanot

Hanots

Hard

Hardening

Hardware

Harelip

Harlequin

Hartmanns

Hashimotos

Haut
Appendix K

Page 13 of 38

11/13/2001

Hay

Head

Headache

Healed

Healing

Health

Hearing

Heart

Heat

Heavily

Heavy

Hebephrenia

Hebephrenic

Heberdens

Heel

Heels

Hemangioblastoma

Hemangioendothelial

Hemangioendothelioma

Hemangioma

Hemangiopericytoma

Hemangiosarcoma

Hematemesis

Hematocephalus

Hematochezia

Hematogenous

Hematologic

Hematoma

Hematomyelia

Hematomyelitis

Hematopericardium

Hematoperitoneum

Hematopneumothorax

Hematopoiesis

Hematopoietic

Hematoporphyria

Hematoporphyrinuria

Hematothorax

Hematuria

Hemianencephaly

Hemianopsia

Hemiatrophy

Hemiballism

Hemiblock

Hemicardia

Hemicephalus

Hemicephaly

Hemichorea

Hemicolectomy

Hemicolonic

Hemicrania

Hemidiaphragm

Hemidiaphragmatic

Hemifacial

Hemigastrectomy

Hemihypertrophy

Hemiparalysis

Hemiparesis

Hemiplegia

Hemipneumonectomy

Hemisphere

Hemispheric

Hemisporosis

Hemivertebra

Hemoblastic

Hemochromatosis

Hemodialysis

Hemodynamic

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobinopathy

Hemolymphangioma

Hemolysis

Hemolytic

Hemomediastium

Hemopericardia

Hemopericardium

Hemoperitoneum

Hemophilia

Hemophilus

Hemopneumothorax

Hemoptysis

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhaged

Hemorrhages

Hemorrhagic

Hemorrhaging

Hemorrhoid

Hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoids

Hemosiderosis

Hemostasis

Hemothorax

Henneberg

Henoch

Heparin

Hepatic

Hepaticojejunostomy

Hepatitis

Hepato

Hepatobiliary

Hepatoblastoma

Hepatocarcinoma

Hepatocellular

Hepatocholangiocarcinoma

Hepatocholangiolitic

Hepatocholangitis

Hepatoencephalopathy

Hepatojejunostomy

Hepatolenticular

Hepatolienal

Hepatoma

Hepatomegalia

Hepatomegaly

Hepatoptosis

Hepatopulmonary

Hepatorenal

Hepatosis

Hepatosplenic

Hepatosplenomegaly

Hereditary

Herellea

Hernia

Herniated

Herniation

Hernioplasty

Herniorrhaphy

Heroin

Herpes

Herpetic

Herpeto

Herricks

Herter

Hiatal

Hiatus

Hiccoughs

Hickman

Hicks

High

Highly

Highmore

Hilar

Hilum

Hilus

Hip

Hippel

Hippocampal

Hips

Hirschsprungs

Histiocytic

Histiocytoma

Histiocytosis

Histocytoma

Histolytica

Histoplasma

Histoplasmosis

History

Hives

Hodgkin

Hodgkins

Hodgsons

Hoffman

Hoffmann

Hoffmans

Holes

Hollow

Holoprosencephaly

Holt

Holtermuller

Homograft

Homologous

Homonymous

Honeycomb

Hook

Hormonal

Hormone

Horn

Horner

Horseshoe

Hortons

Host

Hourglass

Human

Humeral

Humeri

Humerus

Hump

Humpback

Hunchback

Hung

Hunger

Hunners

Hunt

Hunter

Hunters

Huntingtons

Hunts

Hurler

Hurlers

Hurthle

Hutchinson

Hyaline

Hydatid

Hydatidiform

Hydradenitis

Hydramnios

Hydranencephaly

Hydrate

Hydremia

Hydremic

Hydrencephalocele

Hydrencephalomeningocele

Hydrocalycosis

Hydrocele

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephaly

Hydrochloride

Hydrocortisone

Hydroencephalocele

Hydroencephalomeningocele

Hydrofluoric

Hydrohematopneumothorax

Hydrohematopx

Hydromeningocele

Hydromicrocephaly
Appendix K

Page 14 of 38

11/13/2001

Hydromorphone

Hydromphalos

Hydromyelia

Hydromyelocele

Hydronephrosis

Hydronephrotic

Hydropericarditis

Hydropericardium

Hydroperitoneum

Hydrophthalmos

Hydropneumohemothorax

Hydropneumopericarditis

Hydropneumopericardium

Hydropneumothorax

Hydrops

Hydropx

Hydropyonephrosis

Hydrorhachis

Hydrothorax

Hydroureter

Hydroureteronephrosis

Hydrourethra

Hydroxyzine

Hygroma

Hygromas

Hyoid

Hyperacidity

Hyperactive

Hyperactivity

Hyperadrenalism

Hyperadrenocorticism

Hyperaldosterone

Hyperaldosteronism

Hyperalimentation

Hyperaminoaciduria

Hyperammonemia

Hyperazotemia

Hyperbetalipoproteinemia

Hyperbilirubinemia

Hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemic

Hypercalcinuria

Hypercalemia

Hypercapnia

Hypercarbia

Hyperchloremia

Hyperchlorhydria

Hypercholesterinemia

Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolosis

Hypercoagulability

Hypercoagulable

Hypercoagulation

Hypercorticosteronism

Hypercortisonism

Hyperemesis

Hyperemia

Hypereosinophilic

Hyperextension

Hyperfibrinolysis

Hyperfunction

Hypergammaglobulinemia

Hyperglobulinemia

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemic

Hyperglyceridemia

Hyperinsulinism

Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemic

Hyperkinesia

Hyperkinetic

Hyperlipemia

Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidosis

Hyperlipoproteinemia

Hypermagnesemia

Hypermaturity

Hypermobility

Hypermotility

Hypernatremia

Hypernephroid

Hypernephroma

Hypernitremia

Hyperornithinemia

Hyperosmolality

Hyperosmolar

Hyperosmolarity

Hyperosmotic

Hyperosomolar

Hyperosomotic

Hyperparathyroid

Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperpermeability

Hyperphagia

Hyperphosphatemia

Hyperpiesia

Hyperpiesis

Hyperpinealism

Hyperplasia

Hyperplastic

Hyperpnea

Hyperpotassemia

Hyperprebetalipoproteinemia

Hyperproteinemia

Hyperpyrexia

Hypersecretion

Hypersensitive

Hypersensitivity

Hypersplenia

Hypersplenism

Hypersuprarenalism

Hypersympathetic

Hypertelorism

Hypertension

Hypertensive

Hyperthermia

Hyperthyroid

Hyperthyroidism

Hypertonicity

Hypertony

Hypertriglyceride

Hypertriglyceridemia

Hypertrophic

Hypertrophy

Hypertropic

Hyperuricemia

Hyperventilation

Hyperviscidosis

Hyperviscosity

Hypervitaminosis

Hypervolemia

Hypnotic

Hypoacidity

Hypoadrenalism

Hypoadrenia

Hypoadrenocorticism

Hypoalbuminemia

Hypoc

Hypocalcemia

Hypochloremia

Hypochlorhydria

Hypocholesteremia

Hypochromic

Hypochronic

Hypoeosinophilia

Hypofibrinogenemia

Hypofunction

Hypogammaglobulinemia

Hypogammaglobulinemic

Hypogastric

Hypoglobulinemia

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemic

Hypogonadism

Hypoimmunity

Hypokalemia

Hypokalemic

Hypoleukocytosis

Hypomagnesemia

Hypomotility

Hyponatremia

Hypoparathyroidism

Hypoperfusion

Hypopharyngeal

Hypopharynx

Hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatemia

Hypophyseal

Hypophysectomy

Hypophysis

Hypopiesis

Hypopinealism

Hypopituitarism

Hypoplasia

Hypoplasias

Hypoplastic

Hypopotassemia

Hypoproliferative

Hypoproteinemia

Hypoproteinosis

Hypoprothrombinemia

Hypopyrexia

Hyposiderinemia

Hyposmolality

Hypostasis

Hypostatic

Hypostaticum

Hyposuprarenalism

Hypotension

Hypotensive

Hypothalamic

Hypothalamus

Hypothalmus

Hypothermia

Hypothyroid

Hypothyroidism

Hypotonia

Hypotonic

Hypotonicity

Hypotony

Hypoventilation

Hypovitaminosis

Hypovolemia

Hypovolemic

Hypoxemia

Hypoxemic

Hypoxia

Hypoxic

Hysterectomy

Hysterical

Hysterotomy

I

IASD

Iatrogenic

IB

Icterus

IDA

IDD

IDDI

IDDM

Identified

IDIO

Idiocy

Idiopathic
Appendix K

Page 15 of 38

11/13/2001

Idiosyncracy

Idiot

Idioventricular

IGA

IGG

IH

IHD

IHSS

II

IIB

III

IIIB

Ileal

Ileitis

Ileo

Ileocecal

Ileocecum

Ileocolectomy

Ileocolic

Ileocolitis

Ileocolonic

Ileofemoral

Ileojejunal

Ileorectal

Ileosigmoid

Ileosigmoidal

Ileostomy

Ileovesical

Ileum

Ileus

Iliac

Ilio

Iliofemoral

Iliopsoas

Ilium

Ill

Illegal

Illegible

Illicit

Illness

Imbalance

Imbecile

Imbecility

Imipramine

Immature

Immaturity

Immediate

Immersion

Immobility

Immobilization

Immune

Immunity

Immuno

Immunoblastic

Immunocompromised

Immunodeficiency

Immunodeficient

Immunodeficieny

Immunoglobulin

Immunological

Immunosuppressed

Immunosuppression

Immunosuppressive

Impact

Impacted

Impaction

Impaired

Impairment

Impediment

Imperfect

Imperfecta

Imperforate

Impetigo

Implant

Implantation

Implanted

Imposed

Impotency

Improper

IN

Inability

Inaction

Inactive

Inactivity

Inadequate

Inadvertent

Inanition

Inappropriate

Inattention

Inborn

Incarcerated

Incarcerating

Incarceration

Incident

Incidental

Incineration

Incipient

Incised

Incision

Incisional

Incisive

Inclusion

Incompatibility

Incompatible

Incompentence

Incompetence

Incompetency

Incompetent

Incomplete

Incontience

Incontinence

Increased

Increasing

Incus

Inderal

Indeterminate

Indigestion

Indirect

Indometacin

Induceable

Induced

Induction

Indurated

Induration

Indwelling

INE

Inebriated

Inebriety

Inefficiency

Inertia

Inevitable

Infancy

Infant

Infantile

Infantum

Infarct

Infarcted

Infarction

Infarctional

Infarctions

Infarcts

Infected

Infection

Infectional

Infections

Infectious

Infective

Inferiolateral

Inferior

Infero

Inferoapical

Inferolateral

Inferoposterior

Inferoposterolateral

Inferoseptal

Infestation

Infiltrate

Infiltrated

Infiltrates

Infiltrating

Infiltration

Infiltrative

Infirmities

Infirmity

Inflamed

Inflammation

Inflammatory

Inflation

Inflicted

Influence

Influenza

Influenzae

Influenzal

Infra

Infraclavicular

Infrared

Infrarenal

Infundibular

Infusion

Ingested

Ingestion

Inguinal

Inhalant

Inhalation

Inhaled

Inhibitors

Iniencephaly

Injection

Injured

Injuries

Injury

Inner

Innominate

Inoculation

Inoperable

Inquery

Inquest

Inquinal

Insane

Insanity

Insect

Insecticide

Inserted

Insertion

Insipidus

Inspissated

Instability

Instant

Instantaneous

Instrumental

Insuf

Insufficiency

Insufficient

Insufficieny

Insulin

Insulinoma

Insuloma

Insult

Insults

Intake

Integrity

Intemperance

Inter

Interabdominal
Appendix K

Page 16 of 38

11/13/2001

Interasd

Interatrial

Interauricular

Intercapillary

Intercerebral

Intercerhem

Intercommunicating

Intercostal

Intercranial

Interior

Interlobar

Interlobular

Intermediate

Intermittent

Internal

Interposition

Interrupted

Interruption

Interscapular

Interstital

Interstitial

Intertrochanter

Intertrochanteric

Intervenous

Interventricular

Intervertebral

Intervsd

Intestinal

Intestinalis

Intestine

Intestines

Intestinocolonic

Into

Intolerance

Intoxicated

Intoxication

Intra

Intraabdomen

Intraabdominal

Intraabominal

Intraalveolar

Intraaortic

Intraarterial

Intraarticular

Intraasd

Intraatrial

Intrabronchial

Intracapsular

Intracardiac

Intracellular

Intracellulare

Intracerebellar

Intracerebral

Intracerhem

Intraceri

Intracert

Intracranial

Intracranium

Intractable

Intracvacc

Intraductal

Intrahepatic

Intraluminal

Intramedullary

Intramural

Intramuscular

Intraocular

Intraoperative

Intraoral

Intraorbital

Intraosseous

Intraparenchymal

Intraparietal

Intrapelvic

Intraperitoneal

Intrapleural

Intrapontine

Intrapulmonary

Intraspinal

Intrasplenic

Intrathalamic

Intrathecal

Intrathoracic

Intrathoraic

Intratonsillar

Intrauterine

Intravascular

Intravenous

Intraventricular

Intravesical

Intreatable

Intrinsic

Intubated

Intubation

Intussusception

Invagination

Invalid

Invalidism

Invasive

Inversus

Invertase

Investigation

Involutional

Involvement

IO

Iodimated

Iodine

Iowa

Irds

Iritis

Iron

Irradiation

Irreducible

Irregular

Irregularity

Irreversible

Irrigation

Irrigations

Irritability

Irritable

Irritation

IS

Ischemia

Ischemic

Ischial

Ischiatic

Ischiorectal

Ischium

ISD

Island

Islands

Islet

Islets

Isoimmunization

Isoniazid

Isopropanol

Isopropyl

ITP

IUD

IV

IVB

IVH

IVP

Jackson

Jacksonian

Jacksons

Jaffe

Jakob

Jakschs

James

Jannettee

Jansky

Jaundice

Jaundiced

Jaw

Jawbone

Jejunal

Jejunitis

Jejunostomy

Jejunual

Jejunum

Jellyfish

Jervell

Jeunes

Joaquin

Johnson

Joint

Joints

Jugular

Junction

Junctional

Juvenile

Juxtaglomerular

K

Kalischer

Kanamycin

Kansasii

Kaposi

Kappa

Kartagener

Kartageners

Kasabach

Kaschin

Kawasakis

Kelly

Keratoacanthoma

Kerosene

Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidotic

Ketonuria

Ketosis

Ketotic

KFS

Kidney

Kidneys

Kimmelstiel

Kink

Kinky

Klatskin

Klatskins

Klebsiella

Klinefelters

Klippel

Klublattschadel

Knee

Knees

Knife

Knot

Known

Kohlmeir

Korsakoff

Korsakoffs

Korsakov

Korsakovs

Korsakow

Korsakows

Krabbes

Kraft

Krukenbergs

Kugelberg

Kuhn

Kuhns

Kulchitzsky

Kulchitzskys
Appendix K

Page 17 of 38

11/13/2001

KW

Kwashiorkor

Kyphoscoliosis

Kyphoscoliotic

Kyphosis

L

Lab

Labia

Labial

Labile

Labium

Labor

Labored

Lacerated

Laceration

Lacerations

Lack

Lacrimal

Lactacidemia

Lactase

Lactate

Lactic

Lacticemia

Lactose

Lacuna

Lacunar

Ladeno

Laennecs

Lambert

Laminectomy

Landouzy

Landrys

Langdon

Lange

Langerhans

Langes

Lap

Laparoscopy

Laparotomy

Large

Laryngeal

Laryngectomy

Laryngismus

Laryngitis

Laryngo

Laryngobronchitis

Laryngopharyngeal

Laryngopharynx

Laryngoscopy

Laryngospasm

Laryngostenosis

Laryngotomy

Laryngotracheal

Laryngotracheitis

Laryngotracheobronchitis

Larynx

Laser

Lash

Late

Latent

Lateral

Laurence

Lavage

Laxa

Laxative

LB

LBBB

LBW

LCA

LCAR

Le

Lead

Leaflet

Leaflets

Leak

Leakage

Leaking

Leaky

Lebers

Lederers

Left

Leg

Legally

Legionella

Legionnaires

Legs

Leiomyoblastoma

Leiomyoma

Leiomyosarcoma

Leiomyosarcomatosis

Leiomysarcoma

Lemli

Lenegres

Lens

Lenticular

Lenticularstriate

Leods

Lepra

Leptomeningeal

Leptomeningitis

Leriches

Lermoyezs

Lesion

Lesions

Lesser

Lethal

Lethargy

Leucosarcoma

Leukemia

Leukemic

Leukemoid

Leuko

Leukocytoblastic

Leukocytosis

Leukodystrophy

Leukoencephalitis

Leukoencephalopathy

Leukoerythroblastic

Leukoerythroblastosis

Leukoerythrosis

Leukolymphosarcoma

Leukomyeloblastic

Leukopenia

Leukoplakia

Leukopolioencephalopathy

Leukosarcoma

Leveen

Level

Levine

Levocardia

Levoversion

Levs

Levys

Leyden

Liberal

Libman

Librium

Lichtenstein

Lid

Lidocaine

Life

Lifelong

Lifetime

Ligament

Ligation

Light

Lightning

Like

Limb

Limbs

Limitation

Limited

Lindau

Line

Linearis

Lines

Lingual

Lining

Linitis

Linked

Lip

Lipase

Lipedema

Lipemia

Lipid

Lipidosis

Lipoblastoma

Lipoblastomatosis

Lipochondrodystrophy

Lipofibroma

Lipofuscinosis

Lipoid

Lipoidemia

Lipoidosis

Lipoma

Lipomyosarcoma

Lipomyxoma

Lipomyxosarcoma

Lipoproteinemia

Liposarcoma

Lipotrophic

Liquid

Listerella

Listeria

Listeriosis

Lithiasis

Lithium

Lithotomy

Lithotript

Little

Livca

Livcar

Livcir

Live

Liver

Living

LL

LLL

LLQ

LML

LN

Loading

Lobar

Lobe

Lobectomy

Lobes

Lobotomy

Lobular

Local

Localized

Lockjaw

Locomotor

Loculated

Loefflers

Lofgrens

Loin

Long

Loop

Loose

Lordosis

Losing

Loss

Lou

Loud
Appendix K

Page 18 of 38

11/13/2001

Louis

Low

Lower

Lown

LSD

LT

LTB

Ludovici

Ludwigs

Lues

Luetic

Luetschers

Lul

Luls

Lumbar

Lumbarsacral

Lumbosacral

Luminal

Lump

Lung

Lungs

Lupoid

Luposa

Lupus

Luschka

Lutembachers

Luteum

LV

LVF

LVH

Lye

Lying

Lymph

Lymphadenectomy

Lymphadenitis

Lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenosis

Lymphangiectasis

Lymphangiectatic

Lymphangioma

Lymphangiosarcoma

Lymphangitic

Lymphangitis

Lymphatic

Lymphectasia

Lymphed

Lymphedema

Lymphoangiosarcoma

Lymphoblastic

Lymphocyte

Lymphocytic

Lymphoepithelioma

Lymphogenous

Lymphohistiocytic

Lymphohistiocytosis

Lymphoid

Lymphoma

Lymphomatoid

Lymphomatosis

Lymphomatous

Lymphopenia

Lymphoproliferative

Lymphoreticular

Lymphoreticularproliferative

Lymphoreticulum

Lymphosarcoma

Lymphostasis

Lymphotrophic

Lymphotropic

Lysis

Lysol

M

Mac

Maceration

Machacek

Macrocephalia

Macrocephaly

Macrocolon

Macrocytic

Macroglobulinemia

Macrogyria

Macrohydrocephalus

Macronodular

Macrosigmoid

Macular

Madeno

Magendie

Magnesium

Magnum

Main

Mainstem

Maintenance

Major

Makers

Mal

Malabsorption

Malacia

Malaise

Malar

Malaria

Malathion

Maldevelopment

Malformation

Malformations

Malfunction

Malfunctioned

Malfunctioning

Malgaignes

Malhtn

Maligancy

Malignancy

Malignant

Malleolus

Malleus

Mallory

Maln

Malnourished

Malnourishment

Malnutrition

Malposition

Malrotation

Maltreatment

Malunion

Mammary

Mamou

Man

Mandible

Mandibular

Mandibulectomy

Mangled

Manic

Maparotiline

Marantic

Marasmus

Marcescens

Marchesani

Marfans

Margin

Marginal

Marie

Maries

Marihuana

Marked

Marrow

Mashed

Mass

Massage

Masses

Massive

Mast

Mastectomy

Mastocytosis

Mastoid

Mastoiditis

Mater

Materials

Maternal

Matted

Matter

Maturity

Maxilla

Maxillaofacial

Maxillary

Maxillofacial

Mayou

Mbai

Mbcar

MBGCAR

MCA

MCAR

Mcarcinoma

Mccune

Mcocar

Measles

Meatus

Mechanical

Mechanism

Meckels

Meconium

Media

Medial

Median

Mediastinal

Mediastinitis

Mediastinobronchial

Mediastinocutaneous

Mediastinopericarditis

Mediastinoscopy

Mediastinum

Medical

Medication

Medications

Medicinal

Medicine

Medicines

Mediterranean

Medium

Medulla

Medullary

Medulloblastoma

Megablastic

Megacolon

Megacystis

Megaesophagus

Megakaryoblastic

Megakaryocytic

Megakaryocytoid

Megalencephaly

Megaloappendix

Megaloblastic

Megalocephalus

Megalocephaly

Megalocornea

Megalocystis

Megalocystitis

Megalocytic

Megaloduodenum

Megaloesophagus

Megaloureter

Megarectum

Megasigmoid

Megaureter

Meigs

Melancholia
Appendix K

Page 19 of 38

11/13/2001

Melanoblastosis

Melanoma

Melanomatosis

Melanomatous

Melanosarcoma

Melanosis

Melena

Meleneys

Mellaril

Mellitus

Membrane

Membranes

Membranous

Memory

Mendelsons

Menieres

Meningeal

Meninges

Meningioma

Meningiomas

Meningiosarcoma

Meningitidis

Meningitis

Meningocele

Meningococcal

Meningococcemia

Meningococci

Meningococcus

Meningoencephalitis

Meningoencephalocele

Meningoencephalomyelitis

Meningoencephalomyelopathy

Meningoencephalopathy

Meningomyelitis

Meningomyelocele

Meningovascular

Meniscectomy

Menkes

Menopausal

Mental

Mentally

Meperidine

Meprobamate

Mercury

Merkel

Merkle

Mermaid

Merritt

Mes

Mesencephalitis

Mesenchymoma

Mesenchymona

Mesenteric

Mesentery

Mesentric

Mesoappendix

Mesocardia

Mesocaval

Mesocolon

Mesocolonic

Mesodermal

Mesoepithelioma

Mesopharynx

Mesosalpinx

Mesothelioma

Met

Metabolic

Metabolism

Metacarpal

Metachromatic

Metal

Metamorphosis

Metaphyseal

Metaplasia

Metaplastic

Metastases

Metastasis

Metastasized

Metastatic

Metastatis

Metatarsal

Methadone

Methamphetamine

Methane

Methanol

Methapyrilene

Methaqualone

Methicillin

Methioninemia

Methohexital

Methotrexate

Methyl

Metoprolol

Mets

MG

MGN

MI

Micrencephalon

Micro

Microangiopathic

Microangiopathy

Microcephalic

Microcephalus

Microcephaly

Microcolon

Microcytic

Microgastria

Microglioma

Microgyria

Microinfarct

Microinfarction

Micronase

Microndular

Micronodular

Microorganism

Microscopic

Microvascular

Microvesicular

Micturition

Mid

Midbrain

Middle

Midgut

Midthoracic

Migraine

Migrans

Migratory

Mikity

Mild

Miliary

Milk

Milkmans

Millard

Millars

Miller

Millstone

Milroys

Mind

Minded

Mineral

Miners

Mini

Minkowski

Minor

Minute

Mirabilis

Mis

Misadventure

Miscarriage

Mismatched

Misplaced

Misplacement

Misuse

Mitral

Mixed

Mixture

ML

MLCA

MLCAR

Mobius

Moderate

Moderately

Modified

Moist

Mole

Monckebergs

Mongolian

Mongolism

Mongoloid

Monilia

Monilial

Moniliasis

Monitor

Monoblastic

Monoclonal

Monocytic

Monocytogenes

Monocytoid

Monoleukocytic

Monomyelocytic

Monomyelogenous

Mononeuritis

Mononeuropathy

Mononucleosis

Monoplegia

Monosaccharide

Monosomy

Monoxide

Monro

Mons

Monster

Monstrosity

Month

Moon

Moore

Moores

Morbid

Morbus

Morgagni

Morganella

Morganii

Moron

Morphine

Morphinism

Morquio

Morrison

Mother

Mothers

Motility

Motor

Moulders

Mounier

Mount

Mountain

Mouth

Movement

Moyamoya

MPRCAR

MRSAU

MS

MT

MUA

Mucin

Mucinous
Appendix K

Page 20 of 38

11/13/2001

Mucoenteritis

Mucoepidermal

Mucoepidermoid

Mucogenic

Mucoid

Mucolipidosis

Mucopidermoid

Mucopolysaccharidosis

Mucopurulent

Mucormycosis

Mucosa

Mucosal

Mucous

Mucoviscidosis

Muellerian

Mullerian

Multi

Multicystic

Multifocal

Multiforme

Multiinfarct

Multiinfarction

Multilobar

Multilobe

Multilocularis

Multinodular

Multiorgan

Multiorganism

Multiorgans

Multiple

Multiplex

Multisystem

Multisystems

Multivalvular

Multivessel

Multocida

Mumps

Mural

Muriatic

Murmur

Muscle

Muscles

Muscular

Musculature

Musculo

Musculorum

Musculoskeletal

Mustard

Mute

Mutilation

Mutism

MVR

Myasthenia

Myasthenic

Myco

Mycobacteria

Mycobacterial

Mycobacteriosis

Mycobacterium

Mycoplasm

Mycoplasma

Mycosis

Mycotic

Myelinosis

Myelitis

Myeloblastic

Myelocele

Myelocystocele

Myelocytic

Myelodysplasia

Myelodysplastic

Myeloencephalitis

Myelofibrosis

Myelogenic

Myelogenous

Myelogram

Myeloid

Myeloleukodystrophy

Myeloma

Myelomalacia

Myelomatosis

Myelomeningitis

Myelomeningocele

Myelomonoblastic

Myelomonocytic

Myelopathic

Myelopathy

Myelophthisic

Myeloproliferation

Myeloproliferative

Myeloradiculitis

Myeloschisis

Myelosclerosis

Myelosis

Myelosuppression

Myleran

Myoadenoma

Myobacterium

Myocardiac

Myocardial

Myocardiopathy

Myocarditis

Myocardium

Myocardosis

Myoclonic

Myoclonus

Myofacitis

Myofibrosis

Myofibrositis

Myoglobinuria

Myoliposarcoma

Myoma

Myomalacia

Myometrial

Myometritis

Myometrium

Myonecrosis

Myopathy

Myosarcoma

Myositis

Myotatic

Myotonia

Myotonic

Myxedema

Myxofibrosarcoma

Myxoid

Myxoliposarcoma

Myxoma

Myxomatosis

Myxomatous

Myxomembranous

Myxopapillary

Myxosarcoma

Myonecrosis

Nageotte

Nail

Nailing

Najjar

Nanta

Narcolepsy

Narcosis

Narcotic

Narcotics

Narcotism

Nares

Narrowing

Nasal

Nasogastric

Nasopharyngeal

Nasopharyngitis

Nasopharyngoscopy

Nasopharynx

Natural

Nausea

Navel

Navicular

NC

Near

Nec

Neck

Necrolysis

Necrosing

Necrosis

Necrotic

Necroticans

Necrotizing

Needle

Neg

Negative

Neglect

Neimann

Neisseria

Nemaline

Nembutal

Neoformans

Neonatal

Neonatorum

Neoplasia

Neoplasm

Neoplastic

Neovascular

Nephosclerotic

Nephrectomy

Nephritic

Nephritis

Nephroarteriosclerosis

Nephroas

Nephroblastoma

Nephrocalcinosis

Nephrocystitis

Nephrogenic

Nephrolithiasis

Nephrolithotomy

Nephroma

Nephron

Nephronephritis

Nephropathy

Nephroptosis

Nephropyosis

Nephrorrhagia

Nephrosclerosis

Nephrosis

Nephrostomy

Nephrotic

Nephrotoxicity

Nerve

Nervosa

Nervous

Nervousness

Neural

Neuralgia

Neuralgic

Neurasthenia

Neurilemmoma

Neurilemmosarcoma

Neuritis

Neuroblastoma

Neurocirculatory

Neurodegenerative

Neuroectodermal

Neuroendocrine

Neurofibroma

Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibrosarcoma
Appendix K

Page 21 of 38

11/13/2001

Neurogastric

Neurogenic

Neurolemmosarcoma

Neuroleptic

Neurologic

Neurological

Neuroma

Neuromuscular

Neuromyalgia

Neuromyopathy

Neuromyositis

Neuron

Neurone

Neuropathic

Neuropathy

Neurosis

Neurosurgery

Neurosurgical

Neurosyphilis

Neurotic

Neurovascular

Neutropenia

Neutrophilic

Never

Nevus

Newborn

Ng

Nicotine

NIDD

NIDDI

NIDDM

Nielsen

Niemann

Night

Nigra

Nine

Nipple

Nissen

Nitrous

NO

Nocardia

Nocardiasis

Nocardiosis

Noctec

Noctural

Nodal

Node

Nodes

Nodosa

Nodular

Nodule

Nodules

Non

Nonalcoholic

Nonautoimmune

Nonbacterial

Noncardiac

Nonclosure

Noncommunicating

Nonconvulsive

Nondevelopment

Nonepidemic

Nonexpansion

Nonfamilial

Nonfunction

Nonfunctioning

Nonhealing

Nonhemolytic

Nonhemorrhagic

Nonhodgkins

Noninfectious

Nonketotic

Nonlymphocytic

Nonobstructive

Nonorganic

Nonosteogenic

Nonprescribed

Nonproliferative

Nonpsychotic

Nonpyogenic

Nonregenerative

Nonrheumatic

Nonspecific

Nonsuppurative

Nonsyphilitic

Nonthrombocytopenic

Nontoxic

Nontp

Nontraumatic

Nontropical

Nontuberculous

Nonunion

Nonvascular

Nonvenomous

Nonviability

Nonviable

Nonviably

Noonans

Nordiazepam

Nordiaziepam

Normal

Normoblastic

Normoblastosis

Normochromic

Normocytic

Normotensive

Noroxin

Norpramine

Nortriptyline

Nose

Nosebleed

Nosocomial

Nostril

Not

Notch

Nourishment

Npd

Ntg

Nuchal

Nuck

Nuclear

Nuclei

Nucleus

Nutmeg

Nutrition

Nutritional

O

OA

OAD

OAT

Obese

Obesity

Obligue

Oblique

Obliterans

Obliteration

Obliterative

Oblongata

OBS

Obscure

Obsessive

Obstipation

Obstructed

Obstructing

Obstruction

Obstructive

Obtundation

Obturator

OCAR

Occasional

Occipital

Occipito

Occipitocervical

Occipitofrontal

Occipitoparietal

Occipitotemporal

Occluded

Occlusion

Occlusive

Occult

Occulta

Occupational

Occupying

Oculopharyngeal

OCVA

ODDI

Odontoid

Oesophageal

Of

Ogilivies

Ogilvies

OHD

Old

Olecranon

Olfactory

Oligodendroblastoma

Oligodendroglioma

Oligohydramnios

Oliguria

Oliguric

Olivopontinecerebellar

Olivopontocerebellar

Olliers

Olszewski

Olszewskis

OM

Omenectomy

Omental

Omentectomy

Omentitis

Omentum

Omi

Omphalocele

OMS

ON

Oncocytoma

Ondines

One

Ongoing

Onset

Oophorectomy

Oophoritis

Oophorotomy

OP

Opacity

Open

Opened

Opening

Operated

Operation

Operative

Operatively

Ophthalmicus

Ophthalmitis

Opiate

Opitz

Opium

Oppenheim

Oppenheimes

Opportunistic

Opthalmic

Optic

Opticum

OR
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Oral

Oram

Orange

Orbit

Orbital

Orbits

Orchidectomy

Orchiectomy

Orchioblastoma

Orchitis

Organ

Organic

Organism

Organisms

Organs

Orgin

Orif

Orifice

Origin

Ornithine

Orofacial

Oropharyngeal

Oropharynx

Orthopedic

Orthopnea

Orthostatic

Orthotopic

Os

Osler

Oslers

Osseous

Ossification

Osteitis

Osteoarthritica

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthropathy

Osteoarthrosis

Osteochondritis

Osteochondrodystrophy

Osteochondrosarcoma

Osteochrondroma

Osteodystrophy

Osteofibrosarcoma

Osteogenesis

Osteogenic

Osteolysis

Osteolytic

Osteomalacia

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelofibrosis

Osteomyelosclerosis

Osteonecrosis

Osteopathy

Osteopenia

Osteoperiostitis

Osteopetrosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporotic

Osteosarcoma

Osteosclerosis

Osteosclerotic

Ostium

Other

Otitis

Otogenic

Ouinine

Out

Outer

Outflow

Outlet

Output

Ovale

Ovarian

Ovaries

Ovary

Over

Overactive

Overdosage

Overdose

Overexercised

Overexertion

Overexposure

Overheated

Overindulgence

Overload

Oversew

Overstrained

Overweight

Overwhelming

Oviduct

Oxalosis

Oxide

Oxycodone

Oxygen

Oz

Pac

Pacemaker

Pacer

Pachygyria

Pack

Packing

Packs

Pad

Padeno

Paget

Pagets

Pain

Painful

Pains

Paint

Palate

Palliation

Palliative

Pallidus

Palmar

Palpitation

Palpitations

Palsy

Pam

Panacinar

Panaortic

Panarteritis

Pancar

Pancarditis

Pancoast

Pancoasts

Pancreas

Pancreatectomy

Pancreatic

Pancreaticoduodenal

Pancreatitis

Pancreatobiliary

Pancreatoduodenectomy

Pancytopenia

Panencephalitis

Panhypogammaglobulinemia

Panhypopituitarism

Panic

Panlobar

Panlobular

Panniculitis

Pansinusitis

Papilla

Papillary

Papilledema

Papillitis

Papilloma

Papillotomy

Para

Paraaortic

Paracentesis

Paracolic

Paradox

Paraduodenal

Paraesophageal

Paraganglioma

Parainfluenza

Paraldehyde

Paralysis

Paralytic

Paralyzed

Parameningeal

Parametric

Parametritis

Parametrium

Paramyoclonus

Paranasal

Paraneoplastic

Paranoia

Paranoid

Paraparesis

Parapharyngeal

Paraphrenia

Paraplegia

Paraplegic

Parapneumonic

Paraprosthetic

Pararectal

Parasinus

Parasitic

Paraspinal

Parathyroid

Parathyroidectomy

Parathyroiditis

Paratracheal

Paraumbilical

Paraurethral

Parauterine

Paregoric

Parenchyma

Parenchymal

Parenchymatous

Parenteral

Paresis

Parietal

Parieto

Parietotemporal

Parkinson

Parkinsonian

Parkinsonism

Parkinsons

Parotid

Parotiditis

Parotitis

Paroxysmal

Parry

Partial

Partialis

Partum

Pas

Pass

Passage

Passages

Passive

Past

Pasteurella

Pat

Pataus

Patchy

Patella

Patent

Paterson

Pathogenic

Pathologic
Appendix K

Page 23 of 38

11/13/2001

Pathological

Pathology

Patient

Patterson

Paulo

PCD

PCV

PDA

Pectoral

Pectoris

Pectus

Pedal

Pedicle

Peduncle

Peg

Pegt

Pelvic

Pelviperitonitis

Pelvirectal

Pelvis

Pelviureteral

Pelviureteric

Pemphigoid

Pemphigoides

Pemphigus

Pending

Penetrated

Penetrating

Penetration

Penicillin

Penile

Penis

Pentazocine

Pentobarbital

Peptic

Per

Percutaneous

Perforated

Perforating

Perforation

Perforations

Perfringens

Perfusion

Perianal

Periaortic

Periappendiceal

Periarteritis

Pericardiac

Pericardial

Pericardicentesis

Pericardiectomy

Pericardiocentesis

Pericardiostomy

Pericardiotomy

Pericarditis

Pericardium

Pericecal

Pericholecystic

Pericolic

Pericolonic

Pericranial

Pericutaneous

Perigastric

Perihilar

Perinatal

Perineal

Perinephric

Perinephritic

Perinephritis

Perineum

Periodic

Perioperative

Peripadeno

Peripancar

Peripancreatic

Peripartum

Peripheral

Peripherovascular

Periportal

Periproctic

Periprostate

Periprostatic

Perirectal

Perirenal

Periscapular

Perisinus

Periterminal

Peritoneal

Peritonei

Peritoneovenous

Peritoneum

Peritonitis

Peritonsillar

Periureteral

Periurethral

Periuterine

Perivalvular

Perivesical

Perivesicular

Permanent

Pernicious

Peroneal

Perphenazine

Persistant

Persistence

Persistent

Personality

Perstans

Pertussis

Perverted

Pesticide

Petechia

Petechiae

Petechial

Petit

Petroleum

Petrous

Pharyngeal

Pharyngectomy

Pharyngitis

Pharyngo

Pharyngotracheal

Pharynx

Phase

Phenacetin

Phencyclidine

Phenobarbital

Phenomenon

Phenothiazine

Phenotype

Phenylpropanolamine

Phenytoin

Pheochromoblastoma

Pheochromocytoma

Phlebitic

Phlebitis

Phlebothrombosis

Phlegmasia

Phlegmon

Phlegmonous

Phosphate

Phosphatemia

Phosphaturia

Photosensitive

Photosensory

Phthisis

Phyllodes

Physical

Physician

Physiologic

Physiological

Pia

Pick

Picks

Pickwickian

Pie

Piercing

Pierre

Pigmentation

Pigmentations

Pigmented

Pigmentosa

Pigmentosum

Pigmentosus

Pill

Pillar

Pills

Pilonidal

Pin

Pineal

Pinealoblastoma

Pinealoma

Pineoblastoma

Pineocytoma

Pinned

Pinning

Pipe

Piriform

Pit

Pitting

Pituitarism

Pituitary

Pkd

Place

Placed

Placement

Placenta

Placental

Placidyl

Placing

Plague

Plantar

Plaque

Plaques

Plasma

Plasmacytic

Plasmacytoid

Plasmacytoma

Plasmapheresis

Plasmocytic

Plasmodium

Plaster

Plastic

Plastica

Plate

Plateau

Platelet

Platelets

Platybasia

Pleochromic

Pleura

Pleural

Pleurisy

Pleuritic

Pleuritis

Pleurobpn

Pleurobroncho

Pleurocutaneous

Pleuropericardial

Pleuropericarditis

Pleuroperitoneal

Pleuropn

Pleuropneumonia

Pleuropul
Appendix K

Page 24 of 38

11/13/2001

Pleuropulmonary

Plexus

Plication

Plug

Plugged

Plugging

Plummer

Plummers

Plunging

Pmd

Pn

Pneumatosis

Pneumoatelectasis

Pneumococcal

Pneumococcemia

Pneumococci

Pneumococcus

Pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiotic

Pneumocutaneous

Pneumocystic

Pneumocystis

Pneumocystosis

Pneumoencephalography

Pneumohemopericardium

Pneumohemothorax

Pneumohydropericardium

Pneumohydrothorax

Pneumomediastinum

Pneumomediastium

Pneumomycosis

Pneumonectomy

Pneumonia

Pneumoniae

Pneumonic

Pneumonitis

Pneumopathy

Pneumopericarditis

Pneumopericardium

Pneumoperitoneum

Pneumopleurisy

Pneumopleuritis

Pneumopyopericardium

Pneumopyothorax

Pneumorrhagia

Pneumothoraces

Pneumothorax

Po

Pointes

Points

Poison

Poisoning

Poisonous

Polands

Pole

Polgar

Police

Polio

Poliomyelitis

Pollution

Polyadenitis

Polyangiitis

Polyarteritis

Polyarthralgia

Polyarthritis

Polyarthropathy

Polyarticular

Polychondritis

Polychondrodystrophy

Polyclonal

Polycystic

Polycythemia

Polydipsia

Polydrug

Polyhydramnios

Polymer

Polymicrobial

Polymirabial

Polymyalgia

Polymyopathy

Polymyositis

Polyneuritis

Polyneuropathy

Polyp

Polypharmacy

Polypoid

Polyposa

Polyposis

Polyps

Polyradiculoneuropathy

Polyradiculopathy

Polyserositis

Polysplenia

Polyvalvular

Pompe

Pompes

Pond

Pons

Pontine

Poor

Poorly

Popliteal

Poppers

Porcine

Porencephalic

Porencephaly

Porphyria

Porta

Portacava

Portacaval

Portal

Porters

Porto

Portosystemic

Portuguese

Posadas

Positive

Positivity

Poss

Possible

Post

Postanal

Postcecal

Postchickenpox

Postconcussional

Postcontusional

Postdysenteric

Posterior

Postero

Posterolateral

Posteroseptal

Posthemorrhagic

Posthepatic

Posthepatitic

Postherpetic

Postictal

Postinfectional

Postinfectious

Postinflammatory

Postive

Postlaryngeal

Postmature

Postmaturity

Postmeasles

Postmi

Postmortem

Postmyocardial

Postnasal

Postnatal

Postnecrotic

Postobstructive

Postoperative

Postpartal

Postpartum

Postpharyngeal

Posttonsillar

Posttraumatic

Postural

Postvaricella

Postviral

Potassium

Potential

Potters

Potts

Pouch

Power

Pox

PPH

PPT

Praden

Prader

Praecox

PRCA

PRCAR

Pre

Preadmission

Preceding

Precerebral

Precert

Precipitate

Precipitous

Precordial

Predi

Prediabetes

Prediabetic

Prednisone

Predominant

Preeclampsia

Preeclamptic

Preexcitation

Prefrontal

Pregnancy

Pregnant

Preinfarctional

Preleukemia

Preleukemic

Prem

Premature

Prematurely

Prematurity

Prenatal

Prepartum

Prepatellar

Prepuce

Prepyloric

Prepylorus

Presacral

Presacrum

Presbycardia

Presbycusis

Presbyesophagus

Prescribed

Prescription

Presenile

Presenility

Presentation

Pressure

Pressuring

Preterm

Prethrombotic

Previa

Previable

Previous

Primary
Appendix K

Page 25 of 38

11/13/2001

Primidone

Primitive

Primum

Prinzmetals

Prior

Prob

Probable

Problem

Problems

Procain

Procainamide

Procedure

Process

Procidentia

Proctitis

Proctocele

Proctosigmoiditis

Proctosigmoidoscopy

Producing

Product

Products

Profound

Progeria

Progranulocytic

Progression

Progressive

Prolapse

Prolapsed

Prolapsing

Proliferative

Prolonged

Prolymphocytic

Prom

Promazine

Promethazine

Promyelocytic

Pronator

Pronestyl

Propane

Propanol

Properly

Propoxyphene

Propranolol

Prostaglandin

Prostate

Prostatectomy

Prostatic

Prostatism

Prostatitis

Prostatocystectomy

Prosthesis

Prosthetic

Prostration

Protamine

Protein

Proteinosis

Proteinuria

Proteus

Prothrombin

Prothrombinase

Protozoal

Protracted

Protrusion

Prower

Proximal

Prune

Pruritus

Pseudo

Pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoarthrosis

Pseudobulbar

Pseudoclaudication

Pseudocyst

Pseudodiverticulum

Pseudofollicular

Pseudogout

Pseudohypertrophic

Pseudoileus

Pseudoleukemica

Pseudomembranous

Pseudomonas

Pseudomucinous

Pseudomyxoma

Pseudomyxomatosis

Pseudoobstruction

Pseudoparkinsonism

Pseudosarcomatous

Psittacosis

Psoas

Psoriasis

Psoriatic

Psychiatric

Psychogenic

Psychomotor

Psychoneurosis

Psychoneurotic

Psychosis

Psychotherapeutic

Psychotherapeutics

Psychotic

PTE

Pubic

Pubis

Pul

Pulem

Puli

Pulmonale

Pulmonary

Pulmonic

Pulposus

Pulse

Pulseless

Pump

Puncture

Punctured

Pure

Purpura

Purulent

Pus

Pustular

Pustulosa

Putnam

Putrid

PVC

PVD

PVI

PVT

PX

Pyarthrosis

Pyelitis

Pyelocystitis

Pyelogram

Pyelohydronephrosis

Pyelonephritic

Pyelonephritis

Pyelonephrosis

Pyemia

Pyemic

Pylephlebothrombosis

Pyles

Pyloric

Pylorofundal

Pyloroplasty

Pylorospasm

Pylorus

Pyocystitis

Pyogenic

Pyometra

Pyometrium

Pyonephritis

Pyonephrosis

Pyrexia

Pyridoxine

Pyriform

Pyuria

Q

Quadrant

Quadriparesis

Quadriplegia

Quadriplegic

Quadruple

Qualitative

Questionable

Quietly

Quinckes

Quinidine

Quinine

Quite

RA

RAAA

Racemose

Rachischisis

Rachitic

Radial

Radiation

Radical

Radicular

Radiculitis

Radiculomyelitis

Radiculopathy

Radio

Radioactive

Radiocontrast

Radiographic

Radiological

Radionecrosis

Radiotherapy

Radium

Radius

Raised

Ramsey

Ramus

Rape

Rapid

Rapidly

Rar

Rash

Rate

Ray

Raymonds

Raynaud

Raynauds

Rays

RBBB

RCS

RDS

RE

Reaction

Reactivate

Reactivated

Reactivation

Reactive

Recalcitrant

Recent

Recipient

Recklinghausens

Recognition

Reconstruction

Recovering

Rectal

Recto

Rectocele

Rectolabial

Rectosigmoid
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Rectosigmoidal

Rectosigmoidectomy

Rectosigmoiditis

Rectoureteral

Rectourethral

Rectouterine

Rectovaginal

Rectovesical

Rectovesicovaginal

Rectovulval

Rectum

Recumbency

Recurrence

Recurrent

Red

Redlichs

Redo

Reduction

Reflex

Reflux

Refractive

Refractory

Refusal

Refuse

Refused

Region

Regional

Regions

Regurgitation

Regurgitory

Reillys

Reinfarction

Reinfection

Reinsertion

Rejection

Relapsing

Related

Relative

Relaxation

Release

Relief

Relieve

Relieved

Remains

Remote

Removal

Remove

Removed

Renal

Rendu

Renfa

Renovascular

Reoperation

Repair

Repaired

Repeat

Repetitive

Replaced

Replacement

Report

Reptile

Requiring

Resect

Resected

Resection

Reserve

Residual

Residuals

Resistant

Resp

Respiration

Respirations

Respirator

Respiratory

Response

Responsive

Restricted

Restricting

Restrictive

Resultant

Resuscitated

Resuscitation

Resuscitative

Retained

Retardation

Retarded

Retention

Reticular

Reticularproliferative

Reticulo

Reticuloendothelial

Reticulohistiocytic

Reticulohistiocytoma

Reticulum

Retina

Retinae

Retinal

Retinitis

Retinoblastoma

Retinopathy

Retransplantation

Retro

Retroabdominal

Retrobulbar

Retrocecal

Retrogastric

Retrointernal

Retrolaryngeal

Retromolar

Retroperitoneal

Retroperitoneum

Retropertioneal

Retropharyngeal

Retroplacental

Retrorectal

Retrosternal

Retrouterine

Retrovesical

Return

Revascularization

Revascularize

Reverse

Reversed

Reversible

Revision

Reyes

RF

RFA

RH

Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdosarcoma

Rhd

Rheumatic

Rheumatica

Rheumatism

Rheumatoid

Rhinitis

Rhinorrhea

Rhizotomy

Rhythm

Rhythms

Rib

Ribs

Rich

Richardson

Richters

Rickets

Ridden

Ridge

Riemanns

Rifle

Right

Rigid

Rigidity

Rigidus

Ring

Ringed

Rings

RLL

RMCAT

RML

RND

Robin

Robins

Rocky

Rod

Rodent

Rods

Roentgen

Romberg

Roof

Root

Rostans

Rotors

Rotoscoliosis

Round

Roussy

Roux

RSA

RT

RTA

Rubbing

Rubella

Rubinstein

Rubra

Rul

Ruls

Runyon

Rupture

Ruptured

Ruq

Russell

RVH

RVT

RX

S

Sa

Sac

Saccular

Sachs

Sacks

Sacral

Sacrococcygeal

Sacroiliac

Sacrum

Saddle

Sagittal

Saint

Saints

Salicylate

Salicylates

Salivary

Salmonella

Salmonellosis

Salpingitis

Salpingo

Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Salt

San

Sandhoffs

Sanger

Sao
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Saphenous

Sarcoid

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoma

Sarcomatosis

Saturation

SBE

SBO

Scabies

Scald

Scalded

Scalene

Scalp

Scan

Scaphoid

Scapula

Scapular

Scar

Scarring

SCC

SCCA

Schaumann

Scheuermanns

Schiarri

Schilling

Schizo

Schizoaffective

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenic

Scholz

Schonberg

Schonlein

Schroetter

Schroetters

Schuller

Schwannoma

Sciatic

Sciatica

Scirrhous

Scleral

Sclerocystic

Scleroderma

Sclerosing Sclerosis

Sclerotic

Sclerous

Scoliosis

Score

Scotchguard

Scratch

Scratches

Screw

Scrotal

Scrotum

SDAT

SDII

SDS

Secobarbital

Seconal

Second

Secondary

Secretans

Secretion

Secretions

Secretory

Section

Secundum

Sed

Sedation

Sedative

Sedatives

Sedimentation

Segment

Segmental

Seizure

Seizures

Self

Sella

Semi

Semicoma

Semicomatose

Semilunar

Seminal

Seminoma

Semiplastic

Senear

Senescence

Senescent

Senile

Senilis

Senility

Senilization

Sense

Sensitivity

Sensitization

Sensorimotor

Sensory

Separation

Sepsis

Sept

Septa Septal

Septic

Septicemia

Septicemic

Septum

Sequard

Sequela

Sequelae

Sequestration

Serofibrinous

Serology

Seropurulent

Serositis

Serous

Serratia

Serum

Severance

Severe

Severed

Severely

Sewed

Sex

Sezary

Sezarys

Sh

Shadow

Shaft

Shaken

Shaking

Shape

Shaped

Sharp

Shattered

Sheath

Sheathing

Sheehans

Shift

Shigella

Shingles

Shock

Short

Shortness

Shot

Shoulder

Shower

Shunt

Shunted

Shunting

Shunts

Shut

Shutdown

Shy

Siadh

Sialadenitis

Sialitis

Sialoadenitis

Siamese

Sicca

Sicd

Sick

Sickle

Sicklemia

Sickness

Sid

Side

Sided

Sideroachrestic

Sideroblastic

Sideropenic

SIDS

Siegal

Siemens

Sight

Sigmoid

Sigmoidal

Sigmoiditis

Sigmoidoscopy

Sigmoidostomy

Sigmoidovaginal

Sign

Signet

Silent

Silica

Silicate

Silicosis

Silicotb

Silicotbc

Silicotic

Silicotuberculosis

Silver

Silvers

Simmonds

Simple

Simplex

Since

Sinequan

Single

Sinoatrial

Sinoauricular

Sinus

Sinuses

Sinusitis

Sipples

Site

Sites

Sitting

Situ

Situational

Situs

Sive

Six

Sixth

Sjogrens

Skeletal

Skeleton

Skeletonized

Skenes

Skenitis

Skin

Skull

Slashed

Slate

Sle
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Sleep

Sleeping

Sliding

Slim

Slipped

Sloughing

Slow

Slurred

Slurring

Small

Smith

Smiths

Smoke

Smoked

Smoker

Smokers

Smokes

Smoking

Smothering

Snake

Sniffing

Snuff

SO

SOB

Sodium

Soft

Softening

Solitary

Soot

Sore

Source

Sp

Space

Spasm

Spasmodic

Spasms

Spastic

Spasticity Species

Specific

Speech

Spells

Spermatic

Sphenoid

Sphenoidal

Spherocytic

Spherocytosis

Sphincter

Sphincteral

Spider

Spielmeyer

Spina

Spinal

Spinalis

Spindle

Spine

Spinocerebellar

Spinocerebral

Spinous

Spiralis

Spitting

Spleen

Splenectomy

Splenic

Splenitis Splenocolic

Splenomegalia

Splenomegalic

Splenomegaly

Splenopathy

Splenoptosis

Spondylarthrosis

Spondylitis

Spondyloarthrosis

Spondylogenic

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolysis

Spondylosis

Spondylytic

Sponge

Spontaneous

Spotted

Sprain

Spray

Spread

Sprue

Squamous

SSS

ST

Stab

Stabbed

Stabbing

Stage

Staghorn

Staging

Stain

Standstill

Staph

Staphylococcal

Staphylococcemia

Staphylococcus

Stapling

Starr

Starvation

Stasis

State

Stated

Static

Status

Stave

Stcar

Steal

Steam

Steatocirrhosis

Steatorrhea

Steatosis

Steele

Steinbrockers

Steinerts

Stella

Stem

Stenocardia

Stenosing

Stenosis

Stenotic

Stercolith

Stercoraceous

Stercoral

Sterile

Stern

Sternal

Sternalgia

Sternberg

Sternotomy

Sternum

Steroid

Steroids

Stevens

Stiff

Stillborn

Stills

Sting

Stitch

Stmph

Stock

Stokes

Stoma

Stomach

Stomatitis

Stone

Stones

Stool

Stop

Stoppage

Storage

Storm

Strain

Straining

Strangled

Strangulated

Strangulation

Strauss

Streiff

Strep

Strept

Streptococcal

Streptococcemia

Streptococci

Streptococcicosis

Streptococcus

Streptoderma

Streptokinase

Streptomycosis

Stress

Striatal

Striate

Striatonigral

Striatum

Stricture

Stridor

Stripping

Strohl

Stroke

Strokes

Stromal

Strongyloides

Structure

Structures

Struma

Strumpell

Strychnine

Stuart

Studies

Study

Stump

Stunt

Stupor

Sturge

Sturges

Styloid

Suba

Subacute

Subaortic

Subarachnoid

Subarachoid

Subcapital

Subcapsular

Subcecal

Subclavian

Subclavicocarotica

Subclavicular

Subcortical

Subcostal

Subcutaneous

Subd

Subdiaphragmatic

Subdural

Subefe

Subemf

Subendocardial

Subependymoma

Subepidermal

Subfrontal

Subgaleal
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Subglottic

Subglottis

Subhepatic

Subintimal

Subleukemic

Sublingual

Subluxation

Submandibular

Submaxillary

Submental

Submerged

Submersion

Subpectoral

Subperiosteal

Subphrenic

Subpleural

Substained

Substance

Substantial

Substernal

Subsystem

Subtentorial

Subthyroidism

Subtotal

Suck

Sucrose

Sud

Sudden

Suddenly

Suffocated

Suffocation

Sugar

Suicidal

Suicide

Suid

Sulcus

Sulfamethoxazole

Sulfasalazine

Sulfate

Sulfatidosis

Sulzberger

Summer

Superficial

Superficialis

Superimposed

Superinfected

Superior

Supernuclear

Supernumerary

Support

Suppression

Suppurative

Supra

Supraaortic

Suprabulbar

Supraclavicular

Supracondylar

Supradiaphragmatic

Supraglottic

Supraglottis

Suprahilar

Supranuclear

Supraorbital

Suprapelvic

Suprapubic

Suprarenal

Suprasellar

Supravalvular

Supraventricular

Supravt

Surface

Surgeries

Surgery

Surgical

Surrounding

Sutton

Suture

Sutured

Sutures

SVT

SW

Swallow

Swallowed

Swallowing

Swan

Swann

Sweats

Swelling

Swiss

Switch

Swollen

Swyer

Sy

Sylvius

Symmetrical

Symonds

Sympathectomy

Sympathetic

Sympatheticotonia

Symphysis

Symptomatic

Symptoms

Syn

Syncephalus

Syncopal

Syncope

Syncytial

Syndrom

Syndrome

Synergistic

Synostosis

Synovial

Syphilis

Syphilitic

Syphilitica

Syringobulbia

Syringomyelia

Syringomyelic

Syringomyelitis

Syringomyelocele

Syringopontia

System

Systematicus

Systematisata

Systemic

Systems

Systole

Systolic

T

Tabes

Tabetic

Tablets

Tachyarrhythmia

Tachybrady

Tachybradyarrhythmia

Tachybradycardia

Tachycardia

Tachydysrhythmia

Tachypnea

Tachyrhythmia

Tags

Tail

Takayasus

Take

Talk

Talus

Talwin

Tamponade

Tarda

Tardive

Target

Tarsal

Tarsus

Taussig

Tay

Taybi

TB

TBC

TCC

Tcell

TCI

Tear

Teckoff

TEF

Tegretol

Telangiectasia

Telangiectasis

Telangiectatic

Telangiectodes

Temperature

Temple

Temporal

Temporary

Temporo

Temporofrontal

Temporooccipital

Temporoparietal

Temporopontine

Temporosphenoidal

Tenckhoff

Tenckoff

Tendencies

Tendency

Tendineae

Tendon

Tenormin

Tenosynovial

Tension

Tentorial

Tentorium

Teratocarcinoma

Teratoma

Term

Terminal

Termination

Tertiary

Teschendorf

Test

Testes

Testicle

Testicular

Testis

Tetanus

Tetany

Tetrad

Tetralogy

Tetraplegia

Tex

TF

TGV

THA

Thalamic

Thalamus

Thalassanemia

Thalassemia

Thalassemic

Thanatophoric

The

Theca

Thecoma

Theophylline

Theopohylline

Therapeutic

Therapy
Appendix K

Page 30 of 38

11/13/2001

Thermal

Thermocutaneous

Thermoplegia

Thiaminic

Thickening

Thickness

Thigh

Thinning

Thioridazine

Thioridiazine

Thiothixene

Third

Thirteen

This

Thomas

Thomsons

Thoracentesis

Thoracic

Thoracis

Thoraco

Thoracoaaa

Thoracoabdominal

Thoracolumbar

Thoracopagus

Thoracoplasty

Thoracoscopy

Thoracostomy

Thoracotomy

Thorax

Thorazine

Thorn

Thornwaldts

Three

Thrive

Throat

Thrombectomy

Thrombi

Thrombo

Thromboarteritis

Thrombocythemia

Thrombocytic

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenic

Thrombocytosis

Thromboemboli

Thromboembolic

Thromboembolism

Thromboembolus

Thromboencephalomalacia

Thromboendarterectomy

Thrombopenia

Thrombopenic

Thrombophlebitis

Thrombophlebotic

Thrombosed

Thrombosis

Thrombosus

Thrombotic

Thrombus

Thrush

Thumb

Thymic

Thymoma

Thymona

Thymus

Thyrocele

Thyroglossal

Thyroid

Thyroidal

Thyroidectomy

Thyroiditis

Thyromegaly

Thyrotoxic

Thyrotoxicosis

TI

TIA

Tibia

Tibial

Tic

Tick

Time

Tip

Tiredness

Tissue

Tissues

TL

TO

Tobacco

Tobaccoism

Tobacosis

Toe

Toes

Tofranil

Together

Toilet

Tolbutamide

Tolerance

Tolosa

Toluene

Toluol

Tomography

Tongue

Tonic

Tonsil

Tonsillar

Tonsillectomy

Tonsillopharyngeal

Tonsils

Tooth

Tophaceous

Torch

Torn

Torre

Torsades

Torsion

Torso

Torticollis

Torula

Torular

Torulopsis

Torulosis

Total

Totally

Touch

Toxemia

Toxic

Toxicity

Toxicologic

Toxicological

Toxicology

Toxicosis

Toxoplasma

Toxoplasmic

Toxoplasmosis

Tp

Trachea

Tracheal

Tracheitis

Tracheobpn

Tracheobronchial

Tracheobronchitis

Tracheobronchopn

Tracheobronchopneumonia

Tracheobronchopneumonitis

Tracheocele

Tracheoesophageal

Tracheogastric

Tracheolaryngeal

Tracheomalacia

Tracheopharyngeal

Tracheostenosis

Tracheostomy

Tracheotomy

Trachoma

Tract

Traction

Trait

Tranplant

Tranquilizer

Transbronchial

Transcortical

Transcutaneous

Transected

Transection

Transferase

Transformation

Transformed

Transfusion

Transfusions

Transient

Transitional

Transitory

Translocation

Transluminal

Transmural

Transphenoidal

Transplant

Transplantation

Transport

Transposed

Transposition

Transtentorial

Transurethral

Transvenous

Transverse

Transversion

Transversus

Tranverse

Trapezial

Trapezoid

Trauma

Traumatic

Traumatism

Treacher

Treated

Treatment

Treatments

Tree

Trefoil

Trembling

Tremens

Tremor

Triad

Triatriatum

Triavil

Trichinella

Trichloroethane

Tricuspid

Tricyclic

Trifascicular

Trifid

Trigeminal

Trigone

Trigonitis

Trigonocephaly

Trilocular

Trimalleolar

Trimester

Trimethoprim

Triple

Triplegia

Triplets

Triploidy

Trisomy
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Trivessel

Trochanter

Trochanteric

Troisier

Trophic

Trophoneurosis

Tropical

Tropicalis

Trouble

True

Truncus

Trunk

Trypsin

TTP

Tubal

Tube

Tubercular

Tuberculid

Tuberculide

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosus

Tuberculous

Tuberous

Tubes

Tubo

Tuboovarian

Tubular

Tuinal

Tumor

Tumoral

Tunica

Tunnel

Tur

Turbinate

Turcica

Turner

Turners

Turp

Turpentine

Turricephaly

Twin

Twins

Twisted

Two

Tylenol

Tympanic

Tympanitis

Type

Typhus

T12

Ulcer

Ulcerated

Ulcerating

Ulceration

Ulcerations

Ulcerative

Ulcers

Ullrich

Ulna

Ulnar

ULS

Ultraviolet

Umbilical

Umbilicus

Umbrella

Unable

Unattended

Uncal

Uncertain

Unciform

Unclassified

Unclear

Unconscious

Unconsciousness

Uncontrollable

Undefined

Under

Underdeveloped

Underdevelopment

Underlying

Undernourished

Undernourishment

Undernutrition

Underweight

Undescended

Undetermined

Undeveloped

Undifferentiated

Unexpected

Unexplained

Unhealed

Unidentified

Unilateral

Unilobular

Uninodular

Union

Unknown

Unspecified

Unstable

Unsuccessful

Unverricht

Upper

Upset

Urachal

Urachus

Uratic

Urbach

Urbachs

Urea

Uremia

Uremic

Ureter

Ureteral

Ureterectomy

Ureteritis

Ureterocele

Ureterolith

Ureterolithiasis

Ureterolithotomy

Ureteropelvic

Ureterosigmoid

Ureterosigmoidostomy

Ureterostomy

Ureterovaginal

Ureterovesical

Urethra

Urethral

Urethritis

Urethrocele

Urethrocutaneous

Urethrovaginal

Uric

Uricacidemia

Uricemia

Urinary

Urine

Urinemia

Urodialysis

Urohepatic

Urolithiasis

Urological

Uronephrosis

Uropathy

Urosepsis

Uroseptic

Urticaria

Usage

Usher

Uteri

Uterine

Utero

Uterointestinal

Uteropelvic

Uterorectal

Uterovesical

Uterus

Utility

Uveoparotitis

Uvula

Uvular

Uvulitis

V

Vaccination

Vaccinia

Vacuum

Vagina

Vaginal

Vaginalis

Vaginalitis

Vaginitis

Vagino

Vaginovesical

Vagotomy

Valgus

Valium

Valleculae

Valley

Valsalva

Value

Valve

Valves

Valvotomy

Valvular

Valvulitis

Valvulopathy

Valvuloplasty

Valvulotomy

Van

Vapor

Vaquez

Variance

Variants

Variceal

Varicella

Varices

Varicose

Varicosis

Varicosities

Varicosity

Varix

Varny

Varus

Vas

Vascular

Vascularity

Vasculature

Vasculitis

Vasculopathy

Vasectomy

Vasoconstriction

Vasodilation

Vasogenic

Vasomotor

Vasospasm

Vasospastic

Vasotec

Vasovagal

Vater

Vault

VD

Vegetation

Vegetative

Vehicle

Veil
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Vein

Veins

Velamentous

Veldt

Velocity

Velopharyngeal

Vena

Venal

Venar

Venereal

Venofibrosis

Venom

Venomous

Venous

Ventilation

Ventilator

Ventilatory

Ventral

Ventricle

Ventricular

Ventriculitis

Ventriculoatrial

Ventriculoperitoneal

Ventriculostomy

Ventriculotomy

Ventriculr

Vera

Verapamil

Verbiests

Vermiform

Verner

Verrucosa

Verrucous

Verses

Versus

Vert

Vertebra

Vertebrae

Vertebral

Vertebrobasilar

Verterbral

Vertex

Vertigo

Very

Vesical

Vesicle

Vesico

Vesicoabdominal

Vesicocolonic

Vesicocutaneous

Vesicoenteric

Vesicointestinal

Vesicorectal

Vesicoureteral

Vesicourethral

Vesicovagina

Vesicovaginal

Vesicular

Vessel

Vessels

VF

VH

Viable

Vibrio

VII

VIII

Villanous

Villous

Vincristine

Vineberg

Vinebergs

Vinson

Viral

Virchows

Viremia

Viridans

Virus

Viscera

Visceral

Viscus

Vision

Vital

Vitality

Vitamin

Vitrectomy

Vitreous

Vitus

Vocal

Vogt

Voice

Volume

Voluntary

Volvulus

Vomer

Vomiting

VON

VP

Vroliks

VS

VSD

VT

Vulgaris

Vulva

Vulval

Vulvar

Vulvovaginitis

Wagner

Waist

Waldenstroms

Walker

Wall

Wallenbergs

Wallenburgs

Wallgrens

Wandering

Warfarin

Warm

Wasp

Wasps

Wassermann

Wasting

Water

Waterhouse

Watery

Wave

Weak

Weakness

Wean

Weather

Web

Webbed

Weber

Webers

Webs

Wedge

Wedged

Wedging

Weeks

Wegeners

Weight

Weightlessness

Weil

Weill

Weingartens

Weiss

Welander

Welchii

Well

Wenckebachs

Werdnig

Werners

Wernicke

Wernickes

Westphal

Wet

Whartons

Wheezing

Whip

Whiplash

Whipple

Whirlpool

White

Whole

Whooping

Widespread

Widow

Wiedemann

Wiethe

Willans

Willebrands

Willi

Willis

Wilms

Wilson

Wilsons

Window

Wing

Winged

Winter

Wiskott

Withdrawal

Witts

WK

Wolfe

Wolff

Wolmans

Wood

Workers

Worn

Wound

Wounded

Wounds

WPW

Wrist

Xanax

Xanthogranuloma

Xanthogranulomatous

Xanthoma

Xanthomatosis

Xenograft

Xeroderma

Xiphoid

Xiphoidalgia

Xiphoiditis

Xiphopagus

Xray

Years

Yeast

Yellow

Yersinia

Young

Zellweger

Zenkers

Zetterstrom

Zieves

Zinc

Zollinger

Zone

Zoster

Zygoma

Zygomatic

Abdominal

Abdominal Aorta

Abdominal Cavity
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Abdominal Lymph Gland

Abdominal Lymph Node

Abdominal Organ

Abdominal Vena Cava

Abdominal Viscera

Abdominal Wall

Acetabular

Acoustic

Acromial

Acromial Process

Adenoid

Adnexa

Adrenal

Adrenal Cortex

Adrenal Cortical

Adrenal Gland

Adrenal Medulla

Alimentary

Alimentary Canal

Alimentary Tract

All Over Body

Alveolar

Alveolar Mucosa

Alveolar Process

Alveolar Ridge

Alveolar Ridge Mucosa

Alveolus

Ampulla Of Vater

Anal

Anal Canal

Anal Margin

Anal Skin

Anal Sphincter

Ankle

Anorectal

Anorectal Junction

Antecubital Fossa

Antecubital Space

Anterior Fossa

Antrum

Aortic

Aortic Body

Aponeurosis

Appendiceal

Appendix

Arachnoid

Areola

Arm

Arm Bone

Arterial

Ascending Colon

Auditory Canal

Auditory Nerve

Auricle Ear

Auricular

Auricular Canal

Auricular Cartilage

Autonomic Nerve

Autonomic Nervous System

Axilla

Axillary

Axillary Fold

Axillary Lymph Gland

Axillary Lymph Node

Back

Back Bone

Bartholins Gland

Basal Ganglia

Bile Duct

Bile Tract

Biliary

Biliary Duct

Biliary Tract

Biliary Tree

Bladder

Bladder Neck

Bladder Orifice

Bladder Wall

Blood

Blood Vessel

Body

Bone

Bone Cartilage

Bone Marrow

Bony

Bony Structures

Both Lungs

Bowel

Brachial Plexus

Brain

Brain Meninges

Brain Stem

Breast

Breast Areola

Bronchial

Bronchioalveolar

Bronchiogenic

Bronchiolar

Bronchiole

Bronchogenic

Bronchus Carina

Brow

Buccal

Buccal Cavity

Buccal Mucosa

Bursa

Buttock

Calf

Calvarium

Canthus

Canthus Eye

Capillary

Cardia

Cardiac Atrium

Cardiac Orifice

Cardiac Orifice Stomach

Cardiac Ventricle

Cardioesophageal

Cardioesophageal 

Junction

Cardioesophagus

Carina

Carotid

Carotid Artery

Carotid Body

Cauda Equina

Cecal

Celiac Lymph Gland

Celiac Lymph Node

Central Nervous System

Cerebellar

Cerebellopontine

Cerebral

Cerebral Arachnoid

Cerebral Cortex

Cerebral Dura

Cerebral Hemisphere

Cerebral Meninges

Cerebral Peduncle

Cerebral Tentorium

Cerebral Ventricle

Cerebral White Matter

Cervical

Cervical Esophageal

Cervical Esophagus

Cervical Lymph Gland

Cervical Lymph Node

Cervical Node

Cervical Region

Cervical Spinal Cord

Cervix

Cervix Canal

Cervix Stump

Cervix Uteri

Cheek

Cheek Mucosa

Chest

Chest Wall

Chiasma Opticum

Chin

Choledochal Duct

Choroid

Choroid Plexus

Ciliary Body

Clavicle

Clavicular Area

Clitoris

Cloacogenic

Cloacogenic Zone

Coccygeal Body

Coccygeal Glomus

Coccygeal Vertebra

Coccyx

Colic Lymph Gland

Colic Lymph Node

Colonic

Colorectal

Common Bile Duct

Common Biliary Duct

Common Cystic Duct

Common Duct

Common Duct Gland

Common Duct Lymph 

Gland

Common Duct Lymph Node

Concha

Concha Nose

Conjunctiva

Conjunctival

Connective Tissue

Corpus Callosum

Corpus Striatum

Corpus Uteri

Corpus Uterus

Cortical

Costal Cartilage

Cowpers Gland

Cranial

Cranial Bone

Cranial Fossa

Cranial Meninges

Cranial Nerve

Craniopharyngeal

Craniopharyngeal Duct

Craniopharyngeal Pouch

Crerbral Dura

Cricoid Cartilage

Cutaneous

Cystic Biliary Duct

Cystic Duct

Descending Colon

Diaphragmatic

Diaphragmatic Lymph Gland

Diaphragmatic Lymph Node

Digestive Organ

Digestive System

Digestive Tract

Distal Colon

Distal Esophageal

Distal Esophagus

Douglas Cul De Sac

Douglas Pouch

Duodenal

Dura
Appendix K

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11/13/2001

Dura Mater

Ear

Ear Auricle Cartilage

Ear Canal

Ear Cartilage

Earlobe

Elbow

Elbow Bone

Endocardial

Endocervix

Endocervix Canal

Endocervix Gland

Endometrial

Epicardial

Epidural

Epiglottic

Epiglottic Cartilage

Epiglottis

Esophageal

Esophagogastric

Esophagogastric Junction

Ethmoid Bone

Ethmoid Sinus

Ethmoidal

Ethmoidal Sinus

Eustachian Tube

External Auditory Canal

External Auricular Canal

External Cheek

External Ear

External Meatus

External Meatus Ear

External Nose

Extrahepatic Bile Duct

Extrahepatic Gall Duct

Extremity

Eye

Eyebrow

Eyelid

Face Bone

Facial

Fallopian Tube

False Vocal Cord

Femoral

Fibula

Finger

Flank

Floor Mouth

Foot

Forearm

Forearm Bone

Forehead

Fourth Ventricle

Frontal Bone

Frontal Lobe

Frontooccipital

Frontoparietal

Frontotemporal

Gall Duct

Gallbladder

Gartners Duct

Gastric

Gastric Cardia

Gastric Lymph Gland

Gastric Lymph Node

Gastroesophageal

Gastroesophageal Area

Gastroesophageal Junction

Gastroesophageal Region

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal Area

Gastrointestinal Region

Gastrointestinal Tract

Genital Organ

Genitourinary Tract

Gingiva

Gland

Glottic

Glottis

Gluteal Region

Great Vessels

Groin

Groin Lymph Gland

Groin Lymph Node

Gum

Gynecological

Hand

Hard Palate

Head

Heart

Heel

Hepatic

Hepatic Bile Duct

Hepatic Duct

Hepatic Flexure

Hepatic Flexure Colon

Hepatic Lymph Gland

Hepatic Lymph Node

Hepatobiliary

Highmore Antrum

Hilar Lymph Gland

Hilar Lymph Node

Hilum

Hilus

Hip

Hip Bone

Humerus

Hypopharyngeal

Hypophysis

Hypothalamic

Ileal

Ileocecal

Ileocecal Junction

Ileocecal Valve

Ileocolic Lymph Gland

Ileocolic Lymph Node

Ileum

Iliac

Iliac Lymph Gland

Iliac Lymph Node

Ilium

Inferior Maxilla

Inferior Vena Cava

Infraclavicular

Infraclavicular Region

Inguinal

Inguinal Lymph Gland

Inguinal Lymph Node

Inguinal Region

Inner Canthus

Inner Ear

Innominate

Intercostal Lymph Gland

Intercostal Lymph Node

Interlobular Bile Duct

Interlobular Biliary

Interlobular Biliary Canal

Internal Auditory Canal

Internal Auricular Canal

Internal Capsule

Internal Cheek

Internal Nose

Internal Os

Interscapular Region

Intestinal

Intestinal Lymph Gland

Intestinal Lymph Node

Intestinal Tract

Intraabdominal

Intraabdominal Lymph Gland

Intraabdominal Lymph 

Node

Intracranial

Intraductal

Intrahepatic Bile Duct

Intrahepatic Gall Duct

Intraorbital

Intrapelvic Lymph Gland

Intrapelvic Lymph Node

Intrathoracic Cavity

Intrathoracic Lymph Gland

Intrathoracic Lymph Node

Intrathoracic Organ

Ischial

Ischiorectal

Ischiorectal Fossa

Islands Of Langerhans

Islets Of Langerhans

Jaw

Jaw Bone

Jejunal

Kidney

Kidney Area

Kidney Calyx

Kidney Hilus

Kidney Pelvic

Kidney Pelvis

Kidney Region

Knee

Knee Bone

Labia

Labium

Lacrimal Gland

Large Bowel

Large Intestinal

Large Intestine

Laryngeal

Laryngeal Commissure

Laryngopharyngeal

Laryngopharynx

Left Colonic

Left Temporoparietal Area

Leg

Leg Bone

Lid

Limb

Lingual

Lingual Tonsil

Lip

Liver

Lower Alveolar

Lower Alveolar Mucosa

Lower Alveolar Ridge

Lower Alveolar Ridge Mucosa

Lower Esophageal

Lower Esophagus

Lower Extremity

Lower Eyelid

Lower Gingiva

Lower Gum

Lower Jaw Bone

Lower Lid

Lower Limb

Lower Lip

Lower Lobe

Lumbar Lymph Gland

Lumbar Lymph Node

Lumbar Spinal Cord

Lumbar Spine

Lumbosacral Plexus

Lung

Lung Alveolar

Lung Hilus

Lymph
Appendix K

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Lymph Gland

Lymph Node

Lymphatic

Lymphatic Channel

Lymphatic Gland

Lymphatic Vessel

Main Bronchus

Mandible

Mandibular Gingiva

Marrow

Mastoid

Mastoid Antrum

Mastoid Bone

Maxilla

Maxillary

Maxillary Alveolar 

Mucosa

Maxillary Alveolar Ridge

Maxillary Antrum

Maxillary Gingiva

Maxillary Sinus

Meckels Diverticulum

Mediastinal

Mediastinal Lymph Gland

Mediastinal Lymph Node

Medulla Oblongata

Meningeal

Mesenteric

Mesenteric Lymph Gland

Mesenteric Lymph Node

Mesoappendix

Mesocolon

Mesopharynx

Midbrain

Middle Ear

Middle Esophageal

Middle Esophagus

Middle Lobe

Mouth

Mouth Floor

Myocardial

Myometrial

Nasal

Nasal Bone

Nasal Cartilage

Nasal Cavity

Nasal Mucosa

Nasal Septum

Nasal Sinus

Nasal Skin

Nasal Turbinate

Nasopharyngeal

Nasopharyngeal Wall

Nasopharynx

Neck

Neck Lymph Gland

Neck Lymph Node

Nerve

Nervous System

Nipple

Nose Bone

Nostril

Occipital Bone

Occipital Lobe

Occipital Pole

Occipitofrontal

Occipitoparietal

Occipitotemporal

Omental

Omentum

Oral

Oral Cavity

Oral Mucosa

Orbit

Orbit Bone

Orbital

Oropharyngeal

Outer Canthus

Ovarian

Oviduct

Palate

Palmar Aponeurosis

Pancreas Tail

Pancreatic

Pancreatic Body

Pancreatic Duct

Pancreatic Head

Pancreatic Islet Cells

Pancreatic Tail

Pancreatic Tail

Papilla Of Vater

Pararectal

Parietal Bone

Parietal Lobe

Parotid

Parotid Duct

Parotid Gland

Parotid Lymph Gland

Parotid Lymph Node

Pelvic

Pelvic Bone

Pelvic Colon

Pelvic Floor

Pelvic Lymph Gland

Pelvic Lymph Node

Pelvic Viscera

Pelvic Wall

Pelvirectal Junction

Pelvis

Pelviureteric Junction

Penis

Perianal

Pericardial

Perineal

Peripancreatic

Peripheral Nerve

Perirectal

Peritoneal

Peritoneal Cavity

Pharyngeal

Pharyngeal Region

Pharyngeal Wall

Pia Mater

Pineal Gland

Piriform Fossa

Piriform Sinus

Pituitary

Pituitary Fossa

Pituitary Gland

Pituitary Lobe

Plantar Aponeurosis

Pleura

Pleural

Pleural Cavity

Pons

Popliteal Fossa

Popliteal Space

Posterior Fossa

Prepuce

Prepyloric

Prepyloric Area

Prepyloric Region

Prepylorus

Prostatic

Prostatic Gland

Proximal Esophageal

Proximal Esophagus

Pubic Bone

Pulmonary

Pulmonary Lymph Gland

Pulmonary Lymph Node

Pulmonary Parenchyma

Pyloric

Pyloric Antrum

Pyloric Lymph Gland

Pyloric Lymph Node

Pylorus

Pyriform Fossa

Pyriform Sinus

Radius

Rectal

Rectosigmoid

Rectosigmoid Area

Rectosigmoid Colon

Rectosigmoid Junction

Rectosigmoid Region

Rectovaginal Septum

Rectovesical Septum

Rectum

Rectum And Colon

Renal

Renal Calyx

Renal Pelvic

Renal Pelvis

Retina

Retinal

Retro Abdominal

Retrocecal

Retromolar

Retromolar Area

Retroperitoneal

Retroperitoneal Lymph Gland

Retroperitoneal Lymph Node

Retroperitoneum

Retropharyngeal

Retropharyngeal Lymph Gland

Retropharyngeal Lymph Node

Rib

Right Colon

Sacral

Sacral Vertebra

Sacrococcygeal Region

Salivary Duct

Salivary Gland

Scalene Lymph Gland

Scalene Lymph Node

Scalp

Scapula

Scapular Region

Scrotal

Sella Turcica

Shoulder

Shoulder Bone

Sigmoid

Sigmoid Colon

Sigmoid Colonic

Sigmoid Flexure

Sigmoid Flexure Colon

Sigmoidal Colonic

Sinus

Skeletal

Skeleton

Skin

Skull

Small Bowel

Small Intestinal

Small Intestine

Soft Palate

Soft Tissue

Sphenoid Bone

Sphincter Of Oddi

Spinal

Spinal Arachnoid

Spinal Column

Spinal Cord
Appendix K

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Spinal Dura

Spinal Meninges

Splenic

Splenic Flexure

Splenic Flexure Colon

Splenic Lymph Gland

Splenic Lymph Node

Sternal

Stomach

Stomach Antrum

Stomach Cardia

Stomach Fundus

Subdural

Subglottic

Subglottis

Subhepatic Area

Subhepatic Region

Sublingual

Submandibular Gland

Submaxillary Duct

Submaxillary Gland

Submental

Superior Maxilla

Superior Maxillary

Superior Vena Cava

Supraclavicular Lymph Gland

Supraclavicular Lymph Node

Supraclavicular Region

Supraglottic

Supraglottis

Suprarenal

Suprarenal Gland

Suprasellar Region

Temporal

Temporal Bone

Temporal Lobe

Temporal Pole

Temporal Region

Temporofrontal

Temporooccipital

Temporoparietal

Temporopontine

Tentorial

Tentorium

Testicle

Testis

Thalamic

Thalamus

Thigh

Third Ventricle

Thoracic

Thoracic Aorta

Thoracic Area

Thoracic Bone

Thoracic Cavity

Thoracic Esophageal

Thoracic Esophagus

Thoracic Lymph Gland

Thoracic Lymph Node

Thoracic Spinal Cord

Thoracic Spine

Thoracic Wall

Thorax Bone

Throat

Thumb

Thymic

Thymic Gland

Thymus

Thyroglossal Duct

Thyroid

Thyroid Gland

Tibia

Toe

Tongue

Tonsil

Tonsil Pillar

Tonsillar

Tonsillar Fossa

Tracheal

Tracheal Carina

Tracheal Cartilage

Transverse Colon

Transverse Colonic

Trunk

Turbinate Bone

Tympanic Cavity

Ulna

Umbilical

Umbilicus

Upper Alveolar

Upper Alveolar Mucosa

Upper Alveolar Ridge

Upper Alveolar Ridge Mucosa

Upper Back

Upper Esophageal

Upper Esophagus

Upper Extremity

Upper Eyelid

Upper Gingiva

Upper Gum

Upper Jaw Bone

Upper Lid

Upper Limb

Upper Lip

Upper Lobe

Upper Lobe Cavity

Upper Lung

Upper Stomach

Ureteral

Urethral

Urethrovaginal

Urethrovaginal Septum

Urinary Bladder

Urinary Bladder Neck

Urinary Bladder Orifice

Urinary Bladder Wall

Urinary Organ

Urinary System

Uterine

Uterine Adnexa

Uterine Body

Uterine Cervix

Uterine Corpus

Uterine Fundus

Uvula

Vaginal

Vaginal Wall

Vaginovesical

Vaginovesical Septum

Vena Cava

Ventricle

Vertebra Column

Vertebral

Vertebral Column

Vesicovagina

Vesicovaginal

Vesicovaginal Septum

Visceral

Vocal Cord

Vulva

White Matter

Wrist

Acidophil Cancer

Acidophil Carcinoma

Acute Erythremia

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinomatosis

Adenofibroma

Adenoid Cystic 

Carcinoma

Adenoma

Adenomatous Polyp

Adenomatous Polyposis

Adenosarcoma

Adenosquamous (Cell) Cancer

Adenosquamous (Cell)

 Carcinoma

Aleukemic Leukemia

Alveolar 

Adenocarcinoma

Alveolar Cancer

Alveolar Carcinoma

Alveolar Cell Cancer

Alveolar Cell Carcinoma

Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma

Anaplastic 

Adenocarcinoma

Anaplastic Astrocytoma

Anaplastic Cancer

Anaplastic Carcinoma

Anaplastic Fulminant Cancer

Anaplastic Fulminant

 Carcinoma

Angioblastic Meningioma

Angioblastoma

Angioma

Angiomyosarcoma

Angiosarcoma

Apocrine Cancer

Apocrine Carcinoma

Astroblastoma

Astrocytoma

Astroglioma

Basal Cell Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Epithelioma

Basophil 

Adenocarcinoma

Basophil Cancer

Basophil Carcinoma

Benign

Bile Duct Type Cancer

Bile Duct Type 

Carcinoma

Blast Cell

Blastic (Blast)

Blastic (Blast) Crisis

Blastic (Blast) Transformation

C Cell Cancer

C Cell Carcinoma

Cachexia Cancer

Cancer

Cancer Cachexia

Cancerous Cachexia

Cancerous Goiter

Cancinogensis Intoxication

Carcinoid

Carcinoid Malignancy

Carcinoid Tumor

Carcinoma

Carcinoma Cachexia

Carcinomatosis

Carcinomatous Cachexia

Cavernous Hemangioma

Cavernous Lymphangioma

Chemodectoma

Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiohepatoma

Cholangioma

Chondrosarcoma

Chordoma

Choriocarcinoma

Chorioepithelioma

Chorionic Cancer

Chorionic Carcinoma
Appendix K

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Chromophobe Adenocarcinoma

Chromophobe Adenoma

Chromophobe Cancer

Chromophobe 

Carcinoma

Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma

Congenital Leukemia

Craniopharyngioma

Cylindroma

Cystadenocarcinoma

Dermatofibroma

Dermatofibrosarcoma

Dermoid Ovarian Cyst

Di Guglielmos Disease

Differentiated

Differentiated Type

Diffuse

Diffuse Type

Diffused

Disease

Disseminated

Distant

Duct Cell Carcinoma

Ductal Cancer

Ductal Carcinoma

Ductal Cell Carcinoma

Dukes Adenocarcinoma

Dukes Cancer

Dysgerminoma

Eaton Lambert Syndrome

Embryoma

Embryonal Adenocarcinoma

Embryonal Cancer

Embryonal Carcinoma

Eosinophil Adenocarcinoma

Eosinophil Cancer

Eosinophil Carcinoma

Ependymoblastoma

Ependymoma

Epidermoid Cancer

Epidermoid Carcinoma

Epidermoid Cystic Tumor

Epithelioma

Erythremia

Erythremic Myelosis

Erythrocythemia

Erythroleukemia

Ewings Sarcoma

Ewings Tumor

Extensive

Familial Polyposis

Fibroid

Fibroid Tumor

Fibrolipoma

Fibroliposarcoma

Fibroma

Fibromyoma

Fibromyosarcoma

Fibromyxolipoma

Fibromyxosarcoma

Fibrosarcoma

Fibrous Histiocytoma

Follicular Adenocarcinoma

Follicular Lymphoma

Ganglioglioma

Gardners Syndrome

Gastrinoma

Gastrocarcinoma

General

Generalized

Germ Cell Carcinoma

Giant Cell Cancer

Giant Cell Carcinoma

Giant Cell Leukemia

Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioma

Gliosarcoma

Glomangioma

Grade III

Grade IV

Granulocytic Leukemia

Granulocytic Leukemia 

Blast Crisis

Granulosa Cell Cancer

Granulosa Cell 

Carcinoma

Growth

Hemangioendothelioma

Hemangioma

Hemangiopericytoma

Hemangiosarcoma

Hemoleukemia

Hepatoblastoma

Hepatocarcinoma

Hepatocellular Cancer

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocholangiocarcinoma

Hepatocholangiolitic Cancer

Hepatocholangiolitic 

 Carcinoma

Hepatoma

Histiocytic Leukemia

Histiocytic Lymphoma

Histiocytoma

Hodgkins Disease

Hodgkins Disease 

Lymphocyte Depleted

Hodgkins Lymphoma

Hurthle Cell Adenocarcinoma

Hurthle Cell Adenoma

Hurthle Cell Cancer

Hurthle Cell Carcinoma

Hygroma

Hypernephroma

Immunoblastic Sarcoma

Immunolymphosarcoma

Infiltrating

Infiltrating Duct

 Adenocarcinoma

Infiltrating Duct Cancer

Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma

Infiltrating Duct Cell Cancer

Infiltrating Duct Cell 

 Carcinoma

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma

Inflammatory

Inflammatory Cancer

Inflammatory Carcinoma

Insulinoma

Insuloma

Intraductal Cancer

Intraductal Carcinoma

Invasive

Islet Cell Adenocarcinoma

Islet Cell Adenoma

Islet Cell Cancer

Islet Cell Carcinoma

Kaposi Sarcoma

Kaposis Sarcoma

Kasabach Merritt Syndrome

Krukenbergs Tumor

Large Cell Anaplastic Cancer

Large Cell Anaplastic 

 Carcinoma

Large Cell Cancer

Large Cell Carcinoma

Large Cell Lymphoma

Large Cell Tumor

Leiomyosarcoma

Lesion

Leucosarcoma

Leukemia

Leukemic Crisis

Leukemic Infiltrate

Leukemic Infiltration

Leukemic 

Lymphosarcoma

Leukolymphosarcoma

Leukosarcoma

Linitis Plastica

Lipoblastoma

Lipoblastomatosis

Lipofibroma

Lipoma

Lipomyosarcoma

Lipomyxoma

Lipomyxosarcoma

Liposarcoma

Lobular

Lobular Carcinoma

Local

Local Distant

Lymphangiosarcoma

Lymphangiosarcoma

Lymphatic Leukemia

Lymphocytic Leukemia

Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Lymphocytic 

Lymphosarcoma

Lymphogenous Leukemia

Lymphohistiocytic 

Lymphoma

Lymphoid Leukemia

Lympholeukemia

Lymphoma

Lymphomatous Disease

Lymphoproliferative Disease

Lymphoproliferative Disorder

Lymphoreticular 

 Proliferative Disorder

Lymphoreticularproliferative

 Disaese

Lymphoreticularproliferative

 Disorder

Lymphoreticulum Cell 

Leukemia

Lymphosarcoma

Lymphosarcoma Cell 

Leukemia

Lymphosarcoma 

Leukemia

Malignancy

Malignancy To

Malignant

Malignant Cachexia

Malignant Goiter

Mass

Medullary Carcinoma

Medulloblastoma

Megaadenoma

Megakaryocytic 

Leukemia

Megakaryocytic 

Myelosclerosis

Megakaryocytoid 

Leukemia

Megaloleukemia

Meigs Syndrome

Melanoma

Meningioma

Mesenchymoma

Mesoepithelioma

Mesothelioma

Metastases

Metastases To

Metastasis
Appendix K

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Metastasis To

Metastatic

Metastatic "Cell Type" To

Metastatic Disease To

Metastatic Lesion To

Metastatic To

Microglioma

Mixed Cell Leukemia

Mixed Cell Lymphoma

Mixed Leukemia

Monocytic Leukemia

Monocytoid Leukemia

Monoleukemia

Monoleukocytic 

Leukemia

Monomyelocytic Leukemia

Monomyelogenous Leukemia

Mucinous Adenocarcinoma

Mucinous Adenofibroma

Mucinous Cancer

Mucinous Carcinoma

Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma

Mucinous Cystadenocarcoma

Mucinous Cystadenoma

Mucoepidermoid Cancer

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma

Mucoid Cell Adenocarcinoma

Multiple

Multiple Myeloma

Myelogenous Leukemia

Myeloid Leukemia

Myeloleukemia

Myeloma

Myelomonocytic Leukemia

Myeloproliferation Syndrome

Myeloproliferative Disease

Myeloproliferative Disorder

Myeloproliferative Syndrome

Myelosis

Myoliposarcoma

Myoma

Myxofibrosarcoma

Myxoliposarcoma

Myxopapillary Ependymoma

Myxosarcoma

Necrotic

Necrotizing

Neoplasm

Neoplastic Disease

Nephroblastoma

Nephroma

Neurilemmoma

Neurilemmosarcoma

Neuroblastoma

Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibrosarcoma

Neurogenic Sarcoma

Nodular Lymphcytic Leukemia

Nodular Lymphoma

Non Hodgkins Lymphoma

Non Oat Cell Carcinoma

Non Small Cell Carcinoma

Oat Cell Cancer

Oat Cell Carcinoma

Obstructed

Obstructive

Old

Oligodendroblastoma

Oligodendroglioma

Orchioblastoma

Origin (Originated In)

Osteochondrosarcoma

Osteofibrosarcoma

Osteogenic Sarcoma

Osteosarcoma

Pancoast Syndrome

Pancoast Tumor

Pancoasts Syndrome

Pancoasts Tumor

Papillary Adenocarcinoma

Papillary Cancer

Papillary Carcinoma

Papillary Ependymoma

Papillary Serous 

 Adenocarcinoma

Papillary Serous

 Cystadenocarcinoma

Papillary Transitional

 (Cell) Carcimona

Perforating

 Pheochromoblastoma

Pheochromocytoma

Pinealoblastoma

Pinealoma

Pineoblastoma

Pineocytoma

Plasma Cell Leukemia

Plasma Cell Myeloma

Plasmacytic Myeloma

Plasmacytoma

Polycythemia

Polycythemia Rubra Vera

Polycythemia Vera

Polyp

Polyposis

Poor Differentiated

Poorly Differentiated

Primary (1 )

Primary Site

Probable

Progressive

Promyelocytic Leukemia

Pseudofollicular 

Leukemia

Pseudomucinous 

Adenocarcinoma

Pseudomucinous Cancer

Pseudomucinous Carcinoma

Pseudomucinous 

 Cystadenocarcinoma

Pseudomucinous Ovarian Cyst

Recklinghausens Disease

Recurrent

Renal Cell 

Adenocarcinoma

Renal Cell Cancer

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Residual

Reticular Proliferative Disorder

Reticularproliferative Disease

Reticuloendothelial Tumor

Reticulum Cell Sarcoma

Retinoblastoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdosarcoma

Round Cell Cancer

Round Cell Carcinoma

 Sarcoma

Sarcomatosis

Schilling Type Monocytic 

 Leukemia

Schwannoma

Scirrhous Carcinoma

Secondary

Seminoma

Serous Adenocarcinoma

Serous Adenofibroma

Serous Cystadenocarcinoma

Signet Cell Adenocarcinoma

Sipples Syndrome

Small Cell Cancer

Small Cell Carcinoma

Small Cell Lymphoma

Spindle Cell Cancer

Spindle Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cancer

Squamous Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Cancer

Squamous Cell 

Carcinoma

Stage D

Stage I

Stage IB

Stage II

Stage III

Stage IIIB

Stage IV

Stage IVB

Stem Cell Leukemia

Subependymoma

Subepidermal Fibrosis

Subleukemic Leukemia

Synovial Sarcoma

Systemic

T Cell Leukemia

T Cell Lymphoma

Teratoma

Terminal

Theca Cell Cancer

Theca Cell Carcinoma

Thecoma

Thrombocythemia

Thrombocytic Leukemia

Thymoma

Transitional (Cell) Cancer

Transitional (Cell) Carcinoma

Transitional Cell Tumor

Tumor

Type Undetermined

Type Unknown

Unclassified

Undifferentiated

Undifferentiated Type

Unknown Type

Vaguez Disease

Vaguez Osler Disease

Vernet Morrison Syndrome

Verrucous Carcinoma

Villous Adenocarcinoma

Villous Adenoma

Von Recklinghausens Disease

Von Recklinghausens Tumor

Wdha Syndrome

Well Differentiated

Widely

Widely Disseminated

Widely Metastatic

Widely Spread

Widespread

Wilms Tumor