Year: 2012
Resolution Number: 66
Action Taken: Approved as Amended
Status:
Author(s): Allan C.D. Brown, MD
Sponsor: Allan C.D. Brown, MD
On behalf of: Washtenaw County Delegation
Committee: B (Legislation)
Resolved Section(s):
RESOLVED: That MSMS advocate for the formal autopsy of patients whose deaths are unexplained.RATIONALE: The Committee was informed that it is the intent of the author that MSMS Policy reflect that there is educational and medical value in the use of autopsies. Existing MSMS Policy is silent on the area of autopsies, which the author contends does not reflect the importance of this procedure for physicians. This resolution may generate additional downstream concerns related to who will pay for the autopsy and how this could interact with the statutory obligations of the medical examiner. However, the author was very clear, and was supported in the deliberations of the Committee that this resolution obligates no one to pay for additional autopsies and stipulates no additional duties for a medical examiner. This resolution originally asked that MSMS advocate for autopsies for patients whose deaths are unexpected or unexplained. The Committee heard some concern that unexpected could be too subjective, particularly for family members with loved ones whose death may be unexpected, but not from a medical perspective
RESOLVED: That MSMS advocate for the formal autopsy of patients whose deaths are unexplained.RATIONALE: The Committee was informed that it is the intent of the author that MSMS Policy reflect that there is educational and medical value in the use of autopsies. Existing MSMS Policy is silent on the area of autopsies, which the author contends does not reflect the importance of this procedure for physicians. This resolution may generate additional downstream concerns related to who will pay for the autopsy and how this could interact with the statutory obligations of the medical examiner. However, the author was very clear, and was supported in the deliberations of the Committee that this resolution obligates no one to pay for additional autopsies and stipulates no additional duties for a medical examiner. This resolution originally asked that MSMS advocate for autopsies for patients whose deaths are unexpected or unexplained. The Committee heard some concern that unexpected could be too subjective, particularly for family members with loved ones whose death may be unexpected, but not from a medical perspective
Fiscal Note: NULL
Resolution: View PDF for MSMS Policy on Autopsy Procedures