|
State Spotlight - Arizona
 Last updated: May 2008
Jamie Smith, Program Manager
Child Fatality Review Program
150 N. 18th Avenue - Suite 320
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 364-1463
Fax: (602) 364-1496
Email: smithja@azdhs.gov
Website: http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/owch/cfr.htm
Tools
Reports
Mortality Statistics
Program Description
Administration
The Arizona Child Fatality Review Program was established by statute
(section 36-3501 et seq.) in 1993. Arizona’s CFR Program has an
annual budget of $150,000 that is funded by the state. Funding for the
program has remained stable. The Department of Health Services assesses
an additional $1 surcharge on all certified copies of death
certificates to help fund the CFR program.
The program is housed out of the Department of Health Services. Three employees staff
the state level program. The Arizona CFR Program also administers the states
Citizens Review Panels and Unexplained Infant Death Council.
Teams
Arizona has both state and local CFR teams. The state level team
is mandatory; the local level teams are permissible.
State Team: (Chairperson - Dr. Mary Rimsza, MD)
The team is comprised of 22 members, meets quarterly and reviews the
findings from the local teams. The state CFR team has a clinical
consultation committee which reviews death for those counties which do
not have a local team.
Local Teams:
There are 12 county teams and 2 regional teams, each comprised of approximately 20 members.
Teams meet as needed to complete reviews of all child deaths in
their jurisdiction.
Reviews
The Arizona CFR teams review deaths to children excluding fetals. They
review cases to children that are less than 18 years old and that die in
Arizona. If a Arizona resident dies outside of the state,
local teams do not review the case.
Purpose
The main purpose of Arizona’s CFR program is to prevent deaths.
Surveillance is also an important part of the program. Public Health
has always been the focus of Arizona’s program.
Data
Standardized data reporting forms are completed for all reviews. This
is required by state policy. Data is stored and analyzed at the state
level. Local teams can make data requests to the state program. The Arizona CFR program has access to state vital
statistics. These death certificates help trigger the review as well as
provide demographic information.
Annual Report
Arizona does produce an annual report, which is required annually by
statute. The report is distributed internationally, to local teams and
to Arizona’s governor and legislators.
Prevention Initiatives
CFR findings have influenced
policy changes in Arizona. Statewide changes in laws have occurred
because of recommendations from Arizona’s State CFR team to the
legislature. Many local community policy changes have occurred because
of CFR findings. There have been ordinance changes regarding lights,
fencing, licensing for teen drivers and seat belts. Arizona’s CFR
findings have also motivated prevention activity. The local teams, according to contract, have evaluated many of
Arizona CDR prevention efforts. Most have used a variety of pre/post
surveys.
Protocols
Arizona has a variety of protocols in place including CFR meeting, unexplained
infant death investigation and confidentiality.
Training
Arizona CFR offers training and technical assistance for local teams.
Quarterly meetings are held with local coordinators in which staff
share information on team protocols and/or other issues related to
the CFR process. Sometimes guest speakers are invited to
present on a specific topic.
|
