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. 2021 Nov;36(11):3522-3529.
doi: 10.1007/s11606-021-06842-1. Epub 2021 Jun 25.

Development of the Verbal Autopsy Instrument for COVID-19 (VAIC)

Tony Rosen  1 , Monika M Safford  2 , Madeline R Sterling  2 , Parag Goyal  2   3 , Melissa Patterson  4 , Christina Al Malouf  4 , Mary Ballin  4 , Tessa Del Carmen  4 , Veronica M LoFaso  4 , Barrie L Raik  4 , Ingrid Custodio  4 , Alyssa Elman  5 , Sunday Clark  6 , Mark S Lachs  4
Affiliations

Development of the Verbal Autopsy Instrument for COVID-19 (VAIC)

Tony Rosen et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Improving accuracy of identification of COVID-19-related deaths is essential to public health surveillance and research. The verbal autopsy, an established strategy involving an interview with a decedent's caregiver or witness using a semi-structured questionnaire, may improve accurate counting of COVID-19-related deaths.

Objective: To develop and pilot-test the Verbal Autopsy Instrument for COVID-19 (VAIC) and a death adjudication protocol using it.

Methods/key results: We used a multi-step process to design the VAIC and a protocol for its use. We developed a preliminary version of a verbal autopsy instrument specifically for COVID. We then pilot-tested this instrument by interviewing respondents about the deaths of 15 adults aged ≥65 during the initial COVID-19 surge in New York City. We modified it after the first 5 interviews. We then reviewed the VAIC and clinical information for the 15 deaths and developed a death adjudication process/algorithm to determine whether the underlying cause of death was definitely (40% of these pilot cases), probably (33%), possibly (13%), or unlikely/definitely not (13%) COVID-19-related. We noted differences between the adjudicated cause of death and a death certificate.

Conclusions: The VAIC and a death adjudication protocol using it may improve accuracy in identifying COVID-19-related deaths.

Keywords: COVID-19; mortality; verbal autopsy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Multi-step process to design and optimize the Verbal Autopsy Instrument for COVID-19 (VAIC).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Algorithm for COVID-related death adjudication determinations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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