Validation of an administrative claims coding algorithm for serious opioid overdose: A medical chart review.

Purpose: A standardized definition for serious opioid overdose has not been clearly established for disease surveillance or assessing the impact of risk mitigation strategies. The purpose of this study was to use medical chart review to clinically validate a claims-based algorithm to identify serious opioid overdose events.

Methods: The algorithm for serious opioid overdose required an opioid poisoning or external cause ICD-9-CM code occurring within 1 day of (a) an adverse effect code for serious central nervous system or respiratory depression or (b) a mechanical ventilation or critical care CPT code.

Non-Natural Death Associated with Sexual Activity: Results of a 25-Year Medicolegal Postmortem Study.

Introduction: Non-natural deaths associated with sexual activity may occur either with or without the involvement of other persons.

Aim: The present study provides an overview of cases of non-natural death related to sexual activities as well as recommendations of how to handle these cases and to identify potentially dangerous pleasure-enhancing techniques.

Methods: This medicolegal, postmortem, retrospective, and prospective study is based on data of autopsies performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine at University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Pregnancy-associated Death - Clarifying the Cause of Death and Medico-legal Assessments in Accusations of Malpractice.

Background: Pregnancy-associated deaths are extremely rare in Germany. Most deaths are from natural causes, and a range of causes are possible.

Method: The deaths of 22 women who died of pregnancy-associated causes and who were autopsied in the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Justus-Liebig University Gießen between 1992 and 2016 were analyzed.

Love Death-A Retrospective and Prospective Follow-Up Mortality Study Over 45 Years.

Background: Although sexual activity can cause moderate stress, it can cause natural death in individuals with pre-existing illness. The aim of this study was to identify additional pre-existing health problems, sexual practices, and potential circumstances that may trigger fatal events.

Methods: This medicolegal postmortem, retrospective, and prospective study is based on data of autopsies performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.