Background: Recent government inquiries in several countries have identified the length of time it takes coroners to investigate deaths due to injury and other unnatural causes as a major problem. Delays undermine the integrity of vital statistics and adversely affect the deceased's family and others with interests in coroners' findings. Little is publicly known about the extent, nature and causes of these delays.
Methods: We used Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariable regression analysis to decompose the timelines of nearly all inquest cases (n=5096) closed in coroners' courts in Australia between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2013.
Results: The cases had a median closure period of 19.0 months (95% CI 18.4 to 19.6). Overall, 70% of cases were open at 1 year, 40% at 2 years and 22% at 3 years, but there was substantial variation by jurisdiction. Adjusted analyses showed a difference of 22 months in the average closure time between the fastest and slowest jurisdictions. Cases involving deaths due to assault (+12.2 months, 95% CI 7.8 to 17.0) and complications of medical care (+9.0 months, 95% CI 5.5 to 12.3) had significantly longer closure periods than other types of death. Cases that produced public health recommendations also had relatively long closure periods (+8.9 months, 95% CI 7.6 to 10.3).
Conclusions: Nearly a quarter of inquests in Australia run for more than 3 years. The size of this caseload tail varies dramatically by jurisdiction and case characteristics. Interventions to reduce timelines should be tried and carefully evaluated.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5099192 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041933 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Severe Respiratory Distress From Subcutaneous Emphysema After Tracheocutaneous Fistula Repair: A Case Report.
Cureus
December 2024
Pediatric Anesthesiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.
Subcutaneous emphysema results from air or gas being forced into the fascial spaces of subcutaneous tissue. Once the air or gas has entered the fascial spaces, it travels along connective tissue causing a mass effect and swelling. This rare complication usually presents with mild severity during the immediate postoperative period following surgical procedures of the head or neck regions and self-resolves with conservative treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDisaster emergency meal plans for Korean patients who require hemodialysis.
Kidney Res Clin Pract
January 2025
Basic-Clinical Convergence Research Institute, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
Proactive planning and preparation are critical to the safety of patients on dialysis during emergencies, such as natural disasters, and pandemics, such as coronavirus disease 2019. Patients with end-stage kidney disease are particularly vulnerable to disruptions such as power outages, water shortages, transportation issues, and dialysis center closures because they can result in missed dialysis sessions and severe health deterioration. This study aimed to develop tailored dietary guidelines for Korean patients on hemodialysis by applying the U.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinical outcome and volumetric 3D analysis of biofluorescence imaging system guided surgery for Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw(MRONJ).
BMC Oral Health
January 2025
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro 173 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Bundang‑gu, 13620, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Background: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcome of biofluorescent imaging system (BIS) guided MRONJ surgery through analyzing 3D volumetric changes in CBCT data of bone structure.
Methods: BIS-guided surgery for MRONJ surgery was performed by grinding red-fluorescent area from remained residual bone detected by Qray-pen. CBCT data was collected preoperatively, postoperatively, and at last follow-up more than 3 months of each patient.
Class-specific school closures for seasonal influenza: Optimizing timing and duration to prevent disease spread and minimize educational losses.
PLoS One
January 2025
Department of Health Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
School closures are a safe and important strategy for preventing infectious diseases in schools. However, the effects of school closures have not been fully demonstrated, and prolonged school closures have a negative impact on students and communities. This study evaluated class-specific school closure strategies to prevent the spread of seasonal influenza and determine the optimal timing and duration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEntrapment of Pulmonary Artery Catheters in Cardiac Surgery: A Structured Literature Review and Analysis of Published Case Reports.
J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth
January 2025
Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address:
Objectives: This systematic review aims to tabulate and analyze the published literature regarding pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) entrapment during cardiac surgery.
Design: Systematic review.
Setting: Case reports and series.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!