“Recently there has been incorrect information circulating that the case backlog at the OCME is affecting the data being reported on the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System (ASSUS).
“To clarify, the backlog at the OCME does not impact the validity of data published on the ASSUS. The OCME collaborates with Alberta Health, Mental Health and Addiction, and Alberta Health Services regarding data and information. To ensure accuracy, data is carefully reviewed and approved within the OCME to avoid inconsistent information being released to Albertans.
“When a case is received by the OCME, initial toxicology analysis is performed, which provides a preliminary cause of death. All cases where initial toxicology shows an unintentional opioid overdose as the primary cause of death are reported monthly on ASSUS. This process allows our office to provide up-to-date data while we work to complete the full death investigation, which rarely changes the cause of death for opioid-related fatalities. Should the cause or manner of death change once the investigation is complete, the data is updated on ASSUS to reflect this change and to make sure the information is accurate and transparent.”
Quick facts
- Despite the types of deaths under OCME’s purview increasing, additional support for the OCME has led to a decrease in backlog cases during the period from January to March 2024 for the first time in about four years.