Policies and practices in relation to post-mortem examinations
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Introduction
It has been standard practice in medicine for many years to retain both whole and portions of body parts removed for the purpose of an autopsy for further pathological study, quality control or scientific purposes. This is lawful under the Human Tissue Act 1982. However, the retention of organs and tissues after autopsy procedures became an issue of concern to the public internationally and in Australia following the publicity associated with international inquiries into tissue collections in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scotland. Current community expectation require that there be full disclosure of intention with regard to retention of organs and tissue at autopsy including clarity on the next-of-kin's wishes with regards to their subsequent disposal.
In November 2000, the then Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Dr Wooldridge, requested advice from an Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) subcommittee regarding issues relating to tissues and organs currently held by institutions from autopsies. The resulting Report, completed in August 2001, considers the auditing of retained tissues, requirements for institutions undertaking audits, and the managing of enquiries from the public.
The Victorian Working Party on the Retention, Use and Disposal of Tissue after Autopsy was established by the Department of Human Services, in January 2001, to undertake a review of current autopsy policies and practices in Victorian hospitals.
The Working Party developed: model Victorian Guidelines on requesting consent for non-coronial post-mortem examination; a model request form for non-coronial post-mortem (PM) examination; and information for next-of-kin regarding non-coronial post-mortems. These were forwarded to Victorian hospitals in July 2001.
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Information for next-of-kin regarding non-coronial post-mortems (104kb, pdf)
Model request form for non-coronial post-mortem (PM) examination (268kb, pdf)