Overview
The UAB autopsy service has a long history of performing autopsies to provide postmortem diagnoses, confirm antemortem diagnoses and help explain mechanisms of death for both inpatients and outpatients treated at UAB. The UAB autopsy service functions as a Regional Autopsy Center serving not only the University but also several community hospitals, state agencies and selected private cases. The autopsy service averages approximately 300-350 autopsies per year made up of a variety of types of cases from perinatal to adult and some forensic cases. It is the goal of the UAB autopsy service to provide answers regarding what may have led to or contributed to a death to clinicians and families.
Download the UAB authorization for autopsy form here
Faculty and Staff
The UAB autopsy service is staffed with 1 full-time adult/forensic pathologist, 1 full-time adult/cardiac pathologist and 1 full-time perinatal pathologist. The autopsy service is supported by the UAB hospital laboratories technical staff including 1 technical director, 3 autopsy technicians and 4 decedent affairs staff. The UAB autopsy service works in close conjunction with the UAB Neuropathology Department to provide postmortem diagnostic neuropathology services.
Education
Resident and medical student education is a highlight of the autopsy service at UAB. Pathology residents and medical students are actively involved in the autopsy service during a 3-month rotation and their first year. The service has a weekly routine gross pathology conference and a weekly routine final anatomic diagnosis conference. The autopsy service supports routine clinical pathologic correlation conferences and surgical morbidity and mortality conferences. The autopsy faculty also are active in teaching courses and laboratories at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
FAQs
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What is an autopsy?
What is an autopsy?
The autopsy is an examination in which a pathologist reviews medical information, performs external and internal examinations and writes a report to answer medical questions. An autopsy is performed as soon as possible after death and takes 2-4 hours.
Its main purpose is to answer questions the family or doctor(s) may have about the illness, the effects of treatment, cause of death and/or other medical conditions.
The autopsy may be done on the entire body (complete), or it may be restricted to one area of the body (limited). In either autopsy type, samples of organs are taken and are examined under a microscope to look for disease. The autopsy room is a place where a patient is treated with dignity, and the wishes of the family are respected.
When the exam is complete, a written report is done. The final report usually takes 1-3 months to prepare. The report becomes part of the UAB Medical Record for the deceased patient and can be obtained from UAB Health Information Management free of charge by calling 205-930-7724. -
Whose consent is needed to conduct an autopsy?
Whose consent is needed to conduct an autopsy?
Consent for the autopsy must be obtained from the legally authorized representative of the deceased. This is usually the next of kin. The order of legally authorized representatives is:
1 . Legally designated representative.
2. Spouse.
3. Adult aged children (19 or over).
4. Parents (both must agree).
5. Adult siblings (all must agree).If none of the above are living, the next of kin should be determined on a case-by-case basis. When giving consent, the family should:
• Consider the expressed wishes of the deceased
• Know that they can change or withdraw their consent before the autopsy takes place. -
Is there a charge for the autopsy?
Is there a charge for the autopsy?
There is no charge for the autopsy of a UAB patient (inpatient or established outpatient). Deaths of non-UAB patients occurring in the Emergency Department may be subject to a private autopsy fee.
For UAB outpatients, there may be costs related to transportation between facilities depending on the funeral home/body transport service. This is best discussed with the funeral home to ensure the correct information is given related to your situation. -
Will the autopsy affect funeral arrangements?
Will the autopsy affect funeral arrangements?
No, an autopsy should not delay a funeral. The autopsy is performed in a way that will still enable open-casket viewing.
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Are there religious concerns for autopsies?
Are there religious concerns for autopsies?
Some may worry that performing an autopsy can conflict with religious or spiritual beliefs. Religious decisions are always personal. You may want to talk to other family members and religious or spiritual advisors. The autopsy pathologist may also be consulted regarding specific religious or spiritual concerns.
Faculty and Staff
Paul Benson, M.D., Professor, Anatomic Pathology, Autopsy Section Head
Virginia Duncan, M.D., Associate Professor, Women's Health, Perinatal Section Head
Silvio Litovsky, M.D., Professor, Anatomic Pathology, Cardiovascular Section Head
Stephanie Reilly, M.D., Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology
Darin Trelka, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology