The Maternal and Perinatal Death Review Committee for the Office of the Chief Coroner has as its primary role to assist coroners in their investigations of: 1) all deaths of women “during pregnancy and following pregnancy in circumstances that could reasonably be attributed to pregnancy”, 2) stillbirths and, 3) the deaths of neonates. The report is produced annually and relies on a review of records. The objective is to inform care givers about hazardous practices and products identified during case reviews with an aim to prevent other deaths in the future.
The Geriatric and Long Term Care Review Committee to the Office for the Office of the Chief Coroner reviews cases referred by local coroners, Regional Supervising Coroners, and the Office of the Chief Coroner, of deaths of elderly that occurred in acute care or long-term care institutions or in care homes. The recommendations provided in annual reports are intended to ensure that the elderly receive the best possible care and to prevent further deaths in similar circumstances. They are not intended to be policy directives. The reports also include case reviews that provide current examples of some of the issues that health care professionals encounter.
The recommendations fall within the following categories:
- Medical Nursing Management
- Communication and Documentation
- The Use of Drugs in the Elderly
- Admission/Discharge/Transfer Procedures
- Determination of Capacity and Consent for Treatment/DNR
- Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
- Acute Care and Long-Term Care Industry
- The Office of the Chief Coroner
The Paediatric Death Review Committee (PDRC) and Deaths Under Five Committee has as its role to assist the office of the chief coroner in the investigation and review of deaths of children and to make recommendations to help prevent deaths in similar circumstances. The PDRC reviews medically complex deaths where the cause and/or manner of death may be in question, or where there are concerns regarding the medical care. The Annual Report of the Paediatric Death Review Committee and Deaths under Five Committee contains Medical Case Reviews, themes, and general recommendations that are applicable to the care of paediatric patients in Ontario hospitals.