AUTOPSY FAQ’S

  1. Does Baystate do autopsies?

Yes!! Baystate has a pathology residency training program and thus are grateful to have autopsies for our residents.It is afree “service” that we at BH offer to the community.This “service” can be offered to the family of anyone pronounced in the ED (unless the case is accepted by the ME).

  1. What do I do if the family wants to have an autopsy done?

Any patient registered in the ED can have an autopsy done free of charge.If they have a MR# then they belong to us.Review the autopsy form with the family, determine if it is for a limited or full autopsy, and obtain consent.

  1. Does it matter if the family wants it done for legal purposes?

Whether or not the family wishes to have a post done for legal purposes is moot, except that we do not perform "Forensic Autopsies", that is with toxicology.

  1. What do I do if the providers want to have an autopsy done?

Discuss with the family and obtain consent.

  1. What is the charge for an autopsy?

If the patient has a MR#, it is free of charge. If the patient has a BH physician, it is free of charge. A patient dying at home and pronounced at home if under the care of a Baystate physician or a former BMC/MLH/FMC inpatient, will be autopsied free of charge.

A patient dying at home or in a non-Baystate facility and pronounced at home or in such a facility, and not under the care of a Baystate physician, will be autopsied for a charge of $1000 for brain only, $2000 for autopsy without brain/CNS, and $3000 for a full autopsy.

  1. Where can I find the consent form for an autopsy?

The “Authorization for Post-Mortem Exam” consent form is located in the on-line CIS form library.

  1. Where can I get more information about our policy?

See Clinical Operations Manual 9.305- “Post-Mortem Examination” policy.Page 5 also has the Consent form.

6-23-15

MJL & DG