Specimen Requirements

Eligibility for an Autopsy
1. In an effort to maintain high quality of patient care, all patients who die under the following circumstances will be offered an autopsy, provided the Postmortem Objective Form and an appropriate Authority for Autopsy Form:
A. When a firm diagnosis has not been established
B. When death follows performance of a new or unusual procedure
C. When death is sudden and unexpected from apparently natural causes, and cause does not come under jurisdiction of medical examiner
D. When a death is during or after childbirth
Note: Should extenuating circumstances exist which make such a request contraindicated, such circumstances need to be documented as to reasons that an autopsy was not requested.
2. All individuals who die a sudden, unexpected death or have a suspicious history suggesting work-related injury, foul play, suicide, or homicide (as related by police authorities) fall under Delaware Medical Examiner’s jurisdiction. Medical examiner may or may not choose to perform an autopsy.
3. All individuals who have been hospitalized and die <1 week after discharge also fall under Delaware Medical Examiner’s jurisdiction. Medical examiner may or may not choose to perform an autopsy.
4. Individuals who are under active care of a Beebe Community Laboratory physician and who die outside of hospital as in hospital facility premises may be entitled to a hospital autopsy.

5. Individuals not under recent and active care of a Beebe Community Laboratory physician and who may be brought to hospital emergency room or morgue to be legally pronounced deceased are not entitled to postmortem examination at our facility. If the next of kin or family members want this service, the pathologist may provide autopsy service for a fee.
6. All stillborn fetuses with birth weight <500 g should be submitted to pathology along with its placenta for examination, and hospital will dispose of fetus 2 weeks after examination. No autopsy will be provided for these fetuses, but surgical dissection may be performed. Stillborns weighing >500 g and delivered at Beebe Community Laboratory will be autopsied at our facility if proper Authority for Autopsy Form has been signed by mother or father. There is no charge for this service. If photographs are requested, they should be taken in delivery room. Viewing by parents/relatives is not recommended following autopsy or surgical dissection. If autopsy is not required, deliver fetus to morgue for collection by funeral director.

To Obtain an Autopsy
1. Immediately upon death, the medical examiner is to be informed of appropriate cases by the nursing supervisor.
2. For those to be done at Beebe Community Laboratory, an Authority for Autopsy Form should be accompanied by Postmortem Objective Form.

3. Pathologist on call is to be informed by nursing supervisor immediately.

Postmortem Examination and Reporting
1. Postmortem examination is to be performed as soon as possible with utmost sensitivity to needs of family.
2. Autopsy will be scheduled by pathologist who notifies attending physician so he/she may attend.
3. After discussions with pathologist, funeral director is to be informed by nursing supervisor of approximate time body will be released.
4. The Postmortem Objective Form will be completed with Provisional Autopsy Report within 24 hours of completion.
5. A final autopsy report on all routine cases (those that do not require special studies, extensive investigation, consultation, etc.) should be available within 30 days of completion. All autopsy reports should adhere to the following protocol:
A. Final anatomic diagnosis
B. Summary of the autopsy
C. Clinical summary
D. Gross examination (external and internal)
E. Microscopic findings