Denver Autopsy Services: University Hospital's Role

The University of Colorado Hospital in Denver performs autopsies with the consent of the next of kin and the approval of the Pathology Attending Physician. The hospital's Department of Pathology may decline or limit the exam based on the discretion of the attending pathologists or the Director of the Autopsy Service. Coroners or Medical Examiners from any county can remove a body from the hospital at any time. If a patient's death is reportable to the coroner, the county coroner in the patient's death location must be notified. The Decedent Affairs Office at the hospital provides assistance to families, and there is no fee charged for the autopsy examination.

Autopsy consent and approval

The University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, does perform autopsies. The hospital's Department of Pathology may decline an autopsy or limit the exam based on the discretion of the attending pathologists or the Director of the Autopsy Service. No autopsy will be performed without the approval of the Pathology Attending Physician and without proper next-of-kin consent.

Consent Requirements

In the United States, all medical autopsies require the permission of the next of kin. The next of kin has the right to place restrictions on the autopsy procedure, and these wishes must be respected and clearly documented. For example, if the family wishes to limit the autopsy to the abdomen, the thoracic contents should not be accessed through the abdominal incision.

Role of the Decedent Affairs Office

At the University of Colorado Hospital, the Decedent Affairs Office plays a crucial role in the autopsy consent and approval process. When a patient dies, the family or caregivers must notify the Office of Decedent Affairs, providing up-to-date medical records and details of the death. A representative from the Decedent Affairs Office meets with the family to confirm autopsy wishes, address any concerns, and provide assistance in navigating the next steps.

Communication and Sensitivity

Physicians requesting consent for an autopsy should be prepared to answer family questions and address their concerns sensitively and effectively. Common questions and concerns relate to the procedure's impact on the remains, funeral arrangements, cost, and the usefulness and timing of results. Clear communication about the purpose and process of the autopsy is essential to gaining consent.

Accommodating Sociocultural Beliefs

The patient's perceived desires, wishes, and sociocultural beliefs should be considered during the consent process. Accommodations can be made to respect the family's beliefs, such as limiting the scope of the autopsy or making adjustments to honour specific cultural practices regarding death and the body.

In summary, the autopsy consent and approval process requires a delicate balance between medical, legal, and societal interests. Effective communication, respect for family wishes, and sensitivity to sociocultural beliefs are essential to navigating this complex process.

Autopsy costs

The University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, does perform autopsies. However, the Department of Pathology may decline to perform an autopsy or limit the exam based on the discretion of the attending pathologists or the Director of the Autopsy Service. The autopsy will not be performed without the approval of the Pathology Attending Physician and without proper next-of-kin consent.

For patients who have never been treated at the University of Colorado Hospital or its satellite clinics, or whose death occurs while admitted to another hospital, their families are advised to seek an autopsy at the hospital where the patient's physician has clinical privileges. They may also seek a private autopsy through the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office.

The Autopsy Center of Colorado is another alternative for families seeking an autopsy. The center is known for its quality service and exceptional efficiency.

The University of Colorado Hospital does not charge a fee for the autopsy examination. However, the family or estate is responsible for any costs incurred by the funeral home for transportation of the deceased to the hospital morgue.

Autopsy alternatives

The University of Colorado School of Medicine offers autopsy services through its Department of Pathology. The department may decline an autopsy or limit the exam based on the discretion of the attending pathologists or the Director of the Autopsy Service. Consent from the next of kin and the Pathology Attending Physician is required for an autopsy to be performed.

If an autopsy is not performed by the University Hospital, families may seek alternatives to gain closure and understand their loved one's cause of death. One option is to request the services of a private autopsy company, such as the Autopsy Center of Colorado, which offers a comprehensive approach to determining the cause of death.

Additionally, there are software tools that can be used as alternatives to traditional autopsies, particularly in the field of digital forensics. Here are some examples:

• FTK®: A tool that works seamlessly with mobile devices and e-discovery technologies, streamlining searches and enhancing analysis speed.
• TestDisk: A free and open-source file recovery tool that retrieves lost files from various devices and supports multiple file systems.
• R-Studio: A commercial alternative that is lightweight and offers data recovery for Macs, including support for APFS and NTFS drives.
• Aid4Mail: An email processing tool that collects and converts emails from various mail services and mailbox file formats.
• Investigator: A search tool that adds powerful queries based on Gmail and Microsoft 365 syntax, along with native pre-acquisition filters and Python scripting.

Autopsy wait times

Autopsies are performed at the University of Colorado Hospital, also known as Anschutz, by the Department of Pathology. The hospital is located in Aurora, which is part of the Denver metropolitan area.

Wait times for autopsy results can vary depending on several factors. While the autopsy procedure itself typically takes 1-2 hours, the release of the full autopsy report can take much longer.

In some cases, early preliminary results may be available within 2-3 days of the autopsy. However, the full results of a medical autopsy typically take around six weeks to prepare. Forensic autopsies, which are performed when the death is suspicious, sudden, or possibly involves a crime, can take even longer.

The time required for the full autopsy report is due to the need for further laboratory testing to look for signs of drugs, poisons, or disease. These additional tests can take several days or even weeks to complete.

It is important to note that the consent of the next-of-kin and proper medical records are required before an autopsy can be performed. Additionally, the deterioration of organs and body tissues after 24 hours can also impact the timeline of the autopsy process.

The wait for autopsy results can be challenging for families seeking closure, and delays may occur due to various factors, including the complexity of the case, the need for additional testing, and the workload of the medical examiner's office.

Autopsy jurisdiction

Jurisdiction of the Hospital:

The University of Colorado Hospital's Department of Pathology performs autopsies, but they reserve the right to decline or limit the examination based on the discretion of the attending pathologists or the Director of the Autopsy Service. The hospital's jurisdiction includes cases where the patient was treated at the hospital or its satellite clinics within the last five years and natural deaths that are not under the jurisdiction of a coroner or medical examiner.

Jurisdiction of the Coroner or Medical Examiner:

Any unexplained death or death resulting from equipment failure at the University of Colorado Hospital must be reported to the Coroner's Office. Coroners or Medical Examiners from any county have the right to remove a body from the hospital for investigation. They are responsible for determining the cause and manner of death in cases that fall under their jurisdiction, such as suspicious, sudden, or unnatural deaths, deaths that may involve a crime, and those associated with medical procedures.

Consent and Next-of-Kin Involvement:

Obtaining consent from the next of kin is crucial for conducting an autopsy at the University of Colorado Hospital. The Decedent Affairs Office facilitates this process by meeting with the family, obtaining up-to-date medical records, and finalising consent for the autopsy. The next of kin's permission may be specifically required for internal autopsies, which involve the examination of internal organs.

In summary, the autopsy jurisdiction at the University of Colorado Hospital involves a collaboration between the hospital's Department of Pathology and the Coroner's Office, with consent and input from the next of kin, to determine the eligibility and process of performing an autopsy.

Frequently asked questions