The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
are common questions coroners, public health nurses, doctors, emergency
medical technicians and other professionals ask about SIDS. We hope you
find the answers here helpful. You can also visit the SIDS
Facts section of our website for more information.
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1. What is the occurrence rate for SIDS?
2. What is my role as a professional in the case of sudden
unexpected infant death?
3. Who should contact the local health department?
4. How is a determination made that SIDS is the cause of death?
5. What is the mandated role for a coroner in a presumptive
SIDS death?
6. How can I be supportive during the investigation?
7. What function does the public health nurse (PHN) perform?
8. How can I find out what PHN services are mandated by California
law in a SIDS case?
9. What function does the social worker perform?
10. How can I find out what is expected of a social worker
or public health nurse in a SIDS case?
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1. What is the occurrence
rate for SIDS?
SIDS comprises about 80-85 percent of all cases of sudden unexpected infant
death.
2. What is my role as
a professional in the case of sudden unexpected infant death?
When you are involved in a case of sudden unexpected infant death, remember
to:
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Make no assumptions about the cause of death.
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Be compassionate with parents and caregivers.
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Ask open-ended, non-judgmental questions to gather
information about the death.
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Explain what will happen next.
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3. Who should contact
the local health department?
Within 24 hours or as soon as a gross autopsy is completed indicating
the "possibility" of SIDS, the local health department must
be notified by the coroner.
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4. How is a determination
made that SIDS is the cause of death?
Following a complete postmortem investigation, including an autopsy, an
examination of the scene of death, and review of the case history, SIDS
may be determined to be the cause of death if: |
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No other cause of death is identified from the
autopsy.
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No other cause of death is identified by the death
scene investigation.
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Based on the baby's medical history, there is
no reason the death would have been expected.
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5. What is the mandated
role for a coroner in a presumptive SIDS death? |
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Obtain the case history and death scene information
needed by the pathologist using the mandated protocol. (Government
Code Section 27491)
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Sign the death certificate "SIDS" when
appropriate. (Government Code Section 27491)
- Give the parents a presumptive diagnosis of SIDS after the gross
autopsy. (Health and Safety Code 462 and Government Code Section 27491.41)
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Notify the local health department within 24 hours
or as soon as possible after the gross autopsy. (Health and Safety
Code 10253)
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Notify the Department of Health Services California
SIDS Program within 24 hours or as soon as possible after the gross
autopsy. Complete and submit to the California SIDS Program a self-addressed,
postage paid Coroner's Notification Card. (Department of Health Services
4411 8/05)
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Complete and submit to the Department of Health
Services, the Death Scene and Deputy Coroner Investigation Protocol
form for the evaluation of all sudden and unexpected infant deaths.
(Department of Health Services 4439 1/06). See Protocols
for more information.
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6. How can I be supportive
during the investigation?
Treat the baby with kindness and respect, explain the purpose of your
investigation and tell the parents what they need to do. Also let then
know that a public health nurse will be contacting them. Make sure both
you and the parents know how to contact each other.
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7. What function does
the public health nurse (PHN) perform?
The PHN is the case manager who provides coordination of any services following a presumed SIDS death. Within three (3) working days of receiving notification from the coroner's office, a PHN is required to contact the parents or caregiver. Contact can be a face-to-face visit, group visit or telephone call. Whenever possible, the PHN should schedule a home visit to provide the parents or caregiver with SIDS information and offer bereavement support such as: referral to local SIDS support groups; counseling; or assistance with funeral arrangements.
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8. How can I find out what
PHN services are mandated by California law in a SIDS case?
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- Within three working days the PHN contacts the family, childcare
provider, and/or foster parents after receipt of notice from the coroner.
- Contact may be a face-to-face visit, group visit, or telephone call.
- Provides support services:
- Assessment of the family, childcare provider, or both.
- Crisis intervention and counseling.
- Referral to community services.
- Follow-up care to assess the progress of the family, childcare
provider, or both.
- Consults with the infant's physician of record.
- Submits documentation of services to the California SIDS Program.
See the Protocols section
for more information.
- Maintains coordination with the California Department of Health Services
and the California SIDS Program.
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9. What function does
the social worker perform?
A social worker competent and trained for services to SIDS families and
caregivers may be assigned to a SIDS case. Social workers provide services
in a variety of settings including emergency rooms, county health facilities,
social services departments, schools, community agencies, childcare or
foster care homes, or a private practice venue. Services provided by the
social worker will vary widely depending on the setting.
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