153 - Death Certificates: History, Importance, and the Responsibility of the Advanced Practice Nurse

As more states adopt full practice authority and expand signatory authority, nurse practitioners across the country are faced with a new responsibility, completing death certificates. Death certificates serve many purposes including closure for a family planning final arrangement, information for disease tracking, and important health information for state and federal statistic systems. This program reviews the history of death certificates since the 16th century, essential information for death certificates, diagnoses to avoid, and state guidelines and penalties. Cases studies with mock death certificates are used to present the correct completion method and diagnoses to avoid. It is vital that gerontological advance practice nurses understand their role in this important final document for our patients.

Continuing Education Instructions and Disclosure Information:

Contact hours available until 9/30/2025.

Requirements for Successful Completion:
Complete the learning activity in its entirety and complete the online nursing continuing professional development evaluation. You will be able to print your nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) certificate at any time after you complete the evaluation.

Disclosure of relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies (planners, faculty/speakers, reviewers):

Planning Committee Disclosures:
There are no disclosures to declare.

Speaker Disclosures:
There are no disclosures to declare.

Commercial Support:
No commercial support declared.

Accreditation Statement:
This educational activity is jointly provided by Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. (AJJ) and the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA).

Anthony J Jannetti, Inc. is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP5387.

Learning Outcome:
After completing this learning activity, participants will report the ability to explain the essential information needed to complete the standard death certificate form.