URGENT REGARDING SIGNING DEATH CERTIFICATES---APPLIES ONLY TO AUTONOMOUS APRN'S/PA'S AND PHYSICIANS

To all members:

The Electronic Death Registration System, EDRS, is currently down. FNPN lobbyist, Allison Carvajal, was asked to attend a meeting today with Joe Baker, FBON Executive Director and the DOH to discuss getting the word out to Autonomous APRN's (the only APRN's allowed to sign death certificates). Please read the following memo and pass on to your autonomous colleagues.

To:          Florida Licensed Physicians, PAs, and APRNs
Subject:     Immediate Action Required -- Signing of Death Certificates

Dear Valued Health Care Providers,

We hope this memo finds you well. We are writing to bring an urgent matter to your attention concerning the signing of death certificates.
The Electronic Death Registration System, EDRS, is currently down. As a result, we are requesting your immediate attention and action to ensure that all death certificates are signed promptly.

**Key Points:**

1. **Immediate Signing Requested:** Licensed practitioners are asked to sign death certificates without delay. Although F.S. 382.008 provides that practitioners have 72 hours to complete death certificates, for the duration of the disruption, we request that death certificates are signed immediately.

2. **Hand Signatures:** Due to the current system outage, death certificates will require hand signatures rather than electronic ones. Please be prepared to provide hand signatures as needed.

3. **Special Attention for Hospice and Hospital Care:** Practitioners who are caring for advanced life or elderly patients in hospice or hospital settings, should pay extra attention to this matter to ensure that all necessary documents are signed in a timely manner.

**Importance of Immediate Action:**

In Florida, licensed funeral directors are unable to embalm or cremate without a signed death certificate. With the electronic filing system currently down, licensed funeral homes are facing significant challenges to comply with F.S. 382.008. Funeral homes must track down healthcare providers on site at the place of death, which is time-consuming and cumbersome for both the funeral directors and healthcare practitioners. As a result, funeral homes are facing a backlog of decedents in their coolers which is likely to become worse each day.

We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation in addressing this urgent need. Your prompt action will help ensure that we continue to provide compassionate and efficient care during this temporary disruption.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.