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Starting Aug. 31, physicians must submit all cause-of-death information and medical certifications to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) electronically through the state's new online death registration system, the Texas Electronic Registrar (TER).
DSHS Commissioner David Lakey, MD, said in a letter to physicians that the new system, required by state law, "allows physicians to quickly complete cause-of-death information and death certification via the Internet. As a former practicing physician, I appreciate this convenience."
Dr. Lakey says TER allows physicians to certify cause of death any time from any location with Internet access. It also "allows physicians to delegate completion of the death certificate to office staff, while still requiring the physician to enter a personal identification number to complete the actual electronic certification. This system is available at no charge to you."
In addition, he says, the speed of the electronic death registration will give medical researchers valuable mortality data faster than previously possible. "Based on cause-of-death data, public health resources can be best directed towards prevention and education. Ultimately, use of TER will benefit the health of all Texans," he said.
Action, Aug. 18, 2008
Last Published: 8/18/2008 Print this page
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