The Government of Saskatchewan amended vital statistics legislation effective January 1, 2016, giving NPs the legal authority to sign the MCOD and MCOS. Information for NP practice in this area has been contained in the CRNS Guidelines for NPs Completing Medical Certificate of Death & Medical Certificate of Stillbirth, 2016. The guideline has been discontinued and this update provides the most current information and resources.
Physicians, coroners, and NPs share responsibility for proper completion of MCOD and MCOS. NPs registered with the CRNS whom have the appropriate knowledge, skills and competencies are authorized to complete a MCOD and MCOS unless the death needs to be reported to a coroner. NPs need to be familiar with the current provincial legislation that will guide their clinical decisions including;
• The Vital Statistics Regulations;
• The Vital Statistics Act;
• The Coroners Regulations; and
• The Coroners Act.
All Government of Saskatchewan documents are available on Queen’s Printer at the following web site http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/
Additional resources for NPs:
- Government of Saskatchewan, Vital Statistics, eHealth Saskatchewan. (2016). Guidelines for completing the medical certificate of death and medical certificate of stillbirth. Regina, SK. https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/deaths/Documents/HowToCmpltMCD%20v7.pdf
- CPSS 2016, Physician obligations regarding medical certification of death. https://www.cps.sk.ca/imis/CPSS/Legislation__ByLaws__Policies_and_Guidelines/Legislation_Content/Policies_and_Guidelines_Content/Physician_Obligations_Regarding_Medical_Certification_of_Death.aspx
- 2016 CRNS Webinar, edited Jan 2021 https://youtu.be/tg0EnxOPTmk
- CMPA https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2016/completing-medical-certificates-of-death-who-s-responsible
If you have any questions, please contact an CRNS Practice Advisor by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email practiceadvice@crns.ca.