1. | To be a COD, the condition(s combined) should have significant lethality (≥ 0.05) in the clinical setting it was observed. |
2. | If no COD was found, code antepartum stillbirths and neonatal deaths as 8xx and intrapartum deaths as 29x. |
3. | If two (or more) conditions could be COD, select the most significant contributor to death. |
4. | If two equally significant conditions could be COD, code the first to occur if this can cause the latter (related conditions) |
5. | If two equally significant conditions could be COD, code the last to occur if this cannot cause the first (unrelated conditions) |
6. | If two equally significant conditions of unknown timing could be COD, code the first among codes 0 to 7 (hierarchically). |
7. | If COD was infectious, code as 0xx (000 if unknown agent) and report the locus as AC in 19x, 49x, 59x, 69x or 79x. |
8. | If any act to advance death was performed (termination), code as 9xx, and conditions leading to termination as AC. |
9. | To be an AC, the condition(s combined) should contribute significantly in explaining the circumstances of death. |
10. | Do not code any condition(s) unrelated to the causes or circumstances of death. |