Pediatric Autopsy

Autopsy & Fetal Losses

ON THIS PAGE:
Autopsy Services|Consent & Request for Autopsy|Identification of Bodies|Autopsy Handling & Transport|After an Autopsy

Autopsy Services

The autopsy service works closely with the Comprehensive Tissue Center (CTC) for Edmonton/north and Southern Alberta Transplant Program for Calgary/south.

For forensic cases:

Consent for Autopsy

An Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request form (20597) must be completed and signed by the requesting physician. The form is available on the Alberta Health Services website by searching for "Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request".

Additional Forms

Calgary / South

  • Registration of Death DVS5 /Reg3260
  • Medical Certificate of Death DVS6 /Reg3122
  • Notice of Death and Release of Body CHR#00298

Edmonton / North

  • Attending Physicians Medical Certificate of Death (DVS3122) signed by the physician of the deceased
  • Current version of Consent for Autopsy
  • Patient Care Medical Records
  • Notice of Death (CH-0136)

Identification of Bodies

Refer to the Alberta Precision Laboratories Test Directory.

Autopsy Handling & Transport

  • Special handling procedures must be followed for autopsies on bodies with known or suspected communicable disease. Refer to Province of Alberta Bodies of a Deceased Person Regulation.
  • Infections do not necessarily preclude autopsies from being performed, however, by communicating that a body has a communicable disease it allows the pathology team to take the necessary precautions to keep them safe and still obtain the answers to the questions at autopsy.
  • Infections known at the time of death should be listed on the Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request form (20597).
  • Bodies with known or suspected Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 infectious diseases (as per Alberta Regulation 14/2001 Public Health Act) must be hermetically sealed bag/container and tagged with the appropriate Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 label, available on the AHS website. Autopsies may be limited at the pathologist’s discretion depending on the infectious disease. If you have questions regarding a specific communicable disease and how it may influence the autopsy, please contact the local anatomical pathology department and ask to speak to the Autopsy Pathologist on service.
  • Pediatric autopsies are performed Monday to Friday. In Edmonton and Calgary, autopsies may be arranged in advance for the weekend, under special circumstances.
  • Normally, the deceased is available for release within 48 hours of death.
  • If the autopsy is to be restricted to a specific anatomical site, please indicate that restrictions are clearly on the Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request form.
  • If chromosome studies are requested, documentation must include completed AHS Requisition for Constitutional Cytogenetics and FISH Services (CHR# 101667).

Autopsies from AHS Hospital Sites

Calgary / South

  • The chart and forms are forwarded to the Admission/Patient Placement department to be sent with the body to the Alberta Children's Hospital.
  • The Admitting/Patient Placement department of the hospital is responsible for arranging the transfer of a body to the Alberta Children's Hospital from Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre or Rockyview General Hospital.

Autopsies from Non-Hospital Sites

  • Refer to the Laboratory Test Directory for proper identification of the body.
  • The forms and chart information must accompany the body.
  • Bodies will be accepted for autopsy from deaths at home, care facilities or other hospitals that do not have an autopsy service, and for cases that do not come under the criteria of the Fatalities Inquiries Act.

After an Autopsy

The body can be released directly to a funeral home or an authorized representative upon consent from the pathologist and in compliance with Laboratory Services guidelines. The person authorized to pick up the body must show appropriate identification and sign for the acceptance of the body.