Indications a for hospital autopsy:
(1) To answer questions about a patient's disease, clinical findings or test findings.
(2) To further medical knowledge.
(3) To assess response or complications to therapy.
(4) To document medicolegal conditions in a case where the coroner or medical examiner declines autopsy.
(5) At the family's request in consultation with the attending physician.
(6) In stillbirths to exclude congenital malformations or to allow genetic studies.
(7) In the event of familial disease to provide information for counseling family members.
(8) To be performed in conjunction with tissue donation to exclude diseases important to recipients.
Criteria for performing a hospital autopsy:
(1) The case has been released by the coroner or medical examiner.
(2) A physician on the medical staff, preferably the attending physician, requests the examination.
(3) A valid permit is adequately documented (see later section)
(4) Conflict of interest for the hospital is excluded.
(5) The autopsy is performed by a licensed physician or surgeon.
