Organ-limited autopsies. Obtaining permission for postmortem examination of the urinary tract.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a systematic pre- and postmortem program for obtaining permission for autopsies limited to the urinary tract.


METHODS
Comparison versus historical control of autopsy permission using a new process comprising premortem education, modification of the permission process, and autopsy limited to the urinary tract.


METHODS
Patients, family members, and healthcare providers associated with a nursing home.


METHODS
Education of healthcare providers and family members and modification of autopsy consent and performance.


METHODS
Permission rate and demographic characteristics of patients and family members giving permission.


RESULTS
Of the 361 patients who died during the study, we received permission for postmortem examination of the urinary tract for 129 (36%). This was substantially better than the autopsy rate in the year prior to the study, 0.6%. A significantly higher permission rate was associated with patients and contact persons of white race, a higher level of education of the contact person, a nonrelative contact person, and two or fewer individuals making the decision.


CONCLUSIONS
Permission for organ-limited autopsies can be obtained with a systematic approach.
Warren
J W
JW
Muncie
H L
HL
Magaziner
J
J
Hall-Craggs
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D044383:Black People; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D044465:White People