Autopsy - Adult

Autopsy services may be requested from CLS if the death does not require the notification of the Medical Examiner.

Tissue/Body Donation Information

Consent for Autopsy

A Consent for Autopsy form (CHR #160012) must be completed and signed by the requesting physician. Consent of the authorized representative must be obtained by the requesting physician and witnessed by a third party who can verify the identity of the person signing the form.

Identification of Bodies

An identification tag must be attached to the body and also to the outside of the shroud (2 identification tags).

The tags must have the following information:

First and last name
One of the following:

Date of Birth
Alberta Health or Personal Health Number
Hospital Patient Identification Number (where applicable)

Autopsy Handling and Transport

All bodies must be placed in a shroud for transfer.
Special handling procedures must be followed for autopsies on bodies with known or suspected infectious disease.
Charts and Notice of Death are sent to the Admission/Patient Placement department at the hospital site to be forwarded with the body to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Autopsies are performed Monday to Friday and Saturday of a regular weekend, or Sunday of most long weekends.
Normally, the deceased should be available for release within 48 hours of death.
If the autopsy is to be limited to a specific anatomical site. Please indicate the limitation or special instructions clearly on the Consent for Autopsy form.

Autopies on Bodies from Calgary Health Region Hospital Sites

The Admission/Patient Placement department of the hospital where the death occurred is responsible for arranging the transfer of a body to the Foothills Medical Centre.

Autopies on Bodies from Non-Hospital Sites Within the Boundaries of the Calgary Health Region

See above for proper identification of the body. The chart and Notice of Death must accompany the body to the Foothills Medical Center.
Bodies will be accepted for autopsy from deaths at home, nursing homes or other hospitals that do not have an autopsy service. This applies only to cases that do not come under the criteria of the Fatalities Inquiries Act. (See Notification of Medical Examiner)
Any charges that result from the transportation of the body to the Foothills Medical Centre are the responsibility of the family.

Release of Bodies

After an Autopsy has been performed, the body can be released directly to a funeral home or the authorized representative with proper documentation from Admissions/Patient Placement and compliance with CLS guidelines.

References

CHR Regional Policy 1402 Autopsy and Post Mortem Donation of Organ(s) and Tissue