[Resident training program of coroner's office and trauma quality assurance in Los Angeles County, California, USA].

Abstract

The author attended a practical training program at the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office for 2 weeks in June 2008. The systems of investigating the cause of death in the USA are not unified because every state has its own laws and systems, with Los Angeles County having a mixed system of Coroner and Medical Examiner. This report is presented to introduce the training course for medical residents at the Institute of LA. To begin, a tour through the office was provided. All residents then underwent a mask-fit-test in order to prevent infections. A conference to present cases for the day was held each morning, as well as lectures once or twice per week. The whole staff instructed the trainees with care, not only in the Institute but also at the death scene and the court. Additionally, the author also attended the LAC + USC Medical Center Combined Trauma Death Review Committee as an observer. This committee is very important for trauma quality assurance. The report of the coroner's autopsy is handed to the committee and the chairperson, a coroner, assesses the results of the emergency medical treatment. This greatly improves the quality of emergency medicine and reduces the number of preventable deaths.