The mortuary as a source of injury data: Progress towards a mortuary data guideline for fatal injury surveillance

Abstract

To help bridge the obstacle of inadequate injury fatality data in low and medium income countries (LMICs) a simple cost effective system for mortuary surveillance of fatal injuries is being developed in consultation with the WHO. This will inform, direct and monitor injury prevention (IP) interventions and policies in LMICs. This article uses CDC's ‘attributes of a successful surveillance system’ to describe the process, the barriers and solutions in development of this mortuary data guideline. The consultative process utilised generated feedback from key stakeholders including forensic pathologists, Ministry of Health officials and injury prevention experts. An International Advisory Group was also convened to guide the guideline development. These assisted the adjustment of the proposed guideline to maximise flexibility, acceptability and stability; whilst minimising resource implications. Representativeness and the securing of government support perhaps remain the most significant challenges. Consultation with the advisory group and the wider stakeholders has been effective in developing a widely acceptable, user-friendly, low resource data form to gather useful data. Further strategies to overcome barriers need to be developed over the course of the pilot study and this should be done in consultation with the advisory group and stakeholders.

Keywords:

• mortuary data
• guideline
• surveillance
• forensic medicine
• injury prevention

Acknowledgements

This work was completed during Nathan Grills' participation in the Victorian Public Health Training Scheme, funded by the State of Victoria through the Department of Human Services/Department of Health. The views and conclusions are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Human Services/Department of Health.