To establish an institutional policy regarding utilization of autopsies as a medical education training tool. All deaths must be reviewed and autopsies performed whenever possible. Residents should be present at autopsies or should review the gross pathological specimens at the time the autopsies are performed on their patients and should review the autopsy reports. Formal teaching sessions with reviews of autopsy, biopsy, and or surgical pathology cases must be regularly scheduled.
Autopsies are an essential part of a resident s education.
Consent for Autopsy . In all cases, it is the responsibility of the attending physician to obtain consent for autopsy. The request for consent must be documented in the medical record. A note must be entered in the medical record if circumstances exist which, in the judgment of the attending physician, prohibit requesting a consent for autopsy.