Revision to Nurse & Nurse Aide Practice Act

More clinicians face death certification discipline

Colorado adds advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to discipline rules for late medical certifications of death. Repeated or willful delays without reasonable cause can lead to professional discipline. The general deadline is 72 hours after receiving the electronic death registration request. Through March 1, 2024, clinicians not registered with the electronic system had 72 hours after receiving notice instead. Beginning March 1, 2024, the physician and physician assistant discipline rule applies; the separate nursing rule starts on its effective date. Certifications generally must use the electronic system. When the responsible clinician is unavailable or approves a substitute, an authorized professional with access to the deceased person's medical history can sign. This option applies to natural deaths; suspected unnatural deaths require notice to the coroner or medical examiner when an inquiry or autopsy is required. After an autopsy, the certification and death certificate must report whether the person was pregnant at death.