Fractures

Latest release
Cause of death certification guide
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Reference period
Australia
Released
2/10/2024
Next release Unknown
First release

Certification of fractures

When certifying deaths due to fractures and other conditions for which the cause can be either traumatic or pathological, specify the nature and cause of the fracture. For traumatic fractures specify the mechanism or the cause of the injury (e.g. motor vehicle crash, fall down stairs) and the manner or intent of the injury (e.g. unintentional). For pathological fractures specify the disease or condition which resulted in the fracture (e.g. malignancy, osteoporosis). 

The following example provides an example of how a traumatic fracture may be certified. The cause of the fracture is clearly certified with the manner and mechanism indicating that it is a death due to trauma. 

Example of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death completed for a fracture.

Example of a completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The certificate contains 6 lines for completion separated into two parts. Part 1, line A for the disease or condition leading directly to death. Part 1 lines B, C, D and E for antecedent causes which are morbid conditions, if any, giving rise to the above cause, stating the underlying condition last. Part 2 of the certificate is a single line for other significant conditions contributing to the death but not directly related to the disease or condition causing it. For both Part 1 and Part 2 there is a column to record the approximate interval between onset and death for the conditions on each line. 

The certificate is filled out as follows: 

  • Part 1(a): Post-operative pneumonia. Approximate interval between onset and death: 2 days
  • Part 1(b): Internal fixation for fracture repair. Approximate interval between onset and death: 3 weeks
  • Part 1(c): Neck of femur fracture. Approximate interval between onset and death: 3 weeks
  • Part 1(d): Unintentional fall down stairs at home. Approximate interval between onset and death: 3 weeks
  • Part 1(e): Blank. Approximate interval between onset and death: Blank
  • Part 2: Frailty. Approximate interval between onset and death: 3 years
Example of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death completed for a pathological fracture.

Example of a completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The certificate contains 6 lines for completion separated into two parts. Part 1, line A for the disease or condition leading directly to death. Part 1 lines B, C, D and E for antecedent causes which are morbid conditions, if any, giving rise to the above cause, stating the underlying condition last. Part 2 of the certificate is a single line for other significant conditions contributing to the death but not directly related to the disease or condition causing it. For both Part 1 and Part 2 there is a column to record the approximate interval between onset and death for the conditions on each line. 

The certificate is filled out as follows: 

  • Part 1(a): Aspiration pneumonia. Approximate interval between onset and death: 2 days
  • Part 1(b): Metastatic mediastinal malignancy with pathological rib fractures. Approximate interval between onset and death: 14 days
  • Part 1(c): Primary small cell lung cancer of right lower lobe. Approximate interval between onset and death: 2 years
  • Parts 1(d), 1(e) and 2: Blank. Approximate interval between onset and death: Blank