and Why Should an Autopsy be Requested?
is a widely held view that autopsies should be performed on the
occasion of every death. However, because doing so is not always
practical, or even possible, there are certain instances attendant
to a death in which an autopsy is particularly indicated:
death that is apparently natural but also unexplained or unexpected
and not subject to a forensic medical jurisdiction.
death of a patient who participated in any clinical trials.
unexplained or unexpected death occurring during or following
any medical, surgical or dental diagnostic procedures or therapies.
natural death that falls under a forensic medical jurisdiction,
but is waived, such as a death where there is evidence the patient
sustained an injury during hospitalization; a hospital death
where the patient died within 24 hours of admission or a person
pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.
case where an autopsy can serve to help a family or other interested
parties come to a better understanding about the death, help
allay fears and doubt and help facilitate closure.
case where an autopsy can serve to help the attending physician
understand the causes of unknown and/or unanticipated complications.
case where the cause of death or a major diagnosis is not known.
death as a result of high-risk infectious and contagious diseases.
perinatal and pediatric death.
death in which there is a belief that an autopsy might reveal
a known or suspected illness that may have a bearing on the
well being of survivors or transplanted organ recipients.
death in which environmental or occupational hazards were present
death where there is a need to document inherited diseases such
as colon cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer Disease, etc.
death where the family is considering litigation.
an Autopsy is Required?
20 percent of the deaths in the United States are subject to investigation
by coroners or medical examiners. While autopsies are commonly
performed in the course of such investigations, they are not always
required. Each case is evaluated to determine a cause and manner
of death. It may be decided no autopsy is needed in cases where
there is sufficient evidence to determine cause and manner of
death. If such a determination cannot be made, the law may require
an autopsy to establish the facts. The permission of the family
is not needed. Coroner ordered autopsies are conducted at taxpayer
expense. If no autopsy is ordered, families have the right to
have one conducted at their own expense.
for death investigations, to include autopsy, vary from state
to state, but generally state statutes require death investigation
and autopsy for each of the following:
death due to homicide, suicide or accidents, such as vehicle
crashes, falls, drowning, burns or the ingestion of toxic compounds.
under unusual circumstances with suspicion of foul play.
death caused by an agent or a disease that poses a public health
sudden or suspicious, unexplained or unexpected death.
SIDS related death.
death of a person in custody, incarceration or confinement.
death of a person institutionalized for reasons other than organic
illness or disease.
death of persons to be cremated.
hospital death where patient was admitted unconscious or who
died within 24 hours of admission.
infant or fetal death related to anesthesia, medical procedures,
maternal drug abuse, unlawful abortion or stillbirth occurring
outside a hospital.
death related to a medical procedure.
death related to anesthesia, postanesthesia or immediate postoperative
related to delayed effect of injury such as post-traumatic seizure,
pulmonary embolism after hip fracture, etc.
degree of thoroughness of death investigations varies from case
to case. Due to time and budget constraints, the extent of the
coroner or medical examiner's investigation may be limited, and
autopsies are not always done on every case. Sometimes an external
examination of the body or a simple review of medical records
makes up the entirety of a postmortem examination.
an Independent Resource is the Answer?
sometimes happens that the questions attendant in some deaths
endure beyond the determinations and explanations of investigators.
Even a coroner or medical examiner ordered autopsy may not always
unveil the mystery lingering on to tax the time, energy and emotions
of a surviving family. GPMG understands these factors and has
built its reputation and practice serving the needs of survivors
by seeking out the answers. We go beyond what is required to satisfy
the Health Department and legally satisfy a death investigation.
We provide fully independent, complete and conclusive findings.
If a family wishes to appoint an independent pathologist to witness
a coroner or medical examiner ordered autopsy, or wishes to have
a complete autopsy and lab work conducted where none have been
ordered, GPMG can fill that need. Every available tool and technology
is available to strip off the final questions and uncertainties
and help bring about closure.
find out more about whether or not the appointment of an independent
pathologist is right for your particular circumstances, contact
GPMG by the contact information below.
Medical Group, Inc
David M. Posey, MD
2222 Foothill Blvd.
La Cañada, CA 91011
Tel: (800) 620-4644
Fax: (818) 249-1941
24 hour pager-we
Glenoaks Pathology Medical Group, All Rights Reserved.