Implementing the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Case Registry in Georgia

The CDC's Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Case Registry pilot project is using child death review teams and an expanded version of the National CDR Case Reporting system to collect comprehensive data on sudden and unexplained infant deaths in seven states. This session will describe Georgia's experience participating in the Case Registry pilot project. Georgia has 159 counties, with a mixed coroner/medical examiner system, and each county is responsible for reviewing and reporting on their infant deaths. There are around 150 sleep-related infant deaths statewide each year. We have promoted consistency and standardization in death scene investigation by conducting trainings and providing scene investigation tools for coroners, law enforcement, and other first responders. We have explored opportunities for obtaining immediate scene data by requiring the CDC SUID Investigation Reporting form to be completed within seven days of the death. Results from data-sharing partnerships and collaborations will also be discussed. This session will explain the process that Georgia uses to improve infant death data collection and reporting, and show the challenges and successes faced during the case registry pilot project implementation.