Post mortem Flashcards
Cause vs mechanism of death
Cause = medical explanation pathological process
Mechanism - physiological derangement leading to death
Mechanisms of death examples
Haemorrhage
Cardiac arrhtyhmia
Cerebral hypoxia
Sepsis
Hypoglycaemia
Orgna failure
When can you issue a death certificate
Natural disease
No suspicious/unusual issue death circumstances certificate
Seen within last 14 days by doctor
What is cause of death in cancer
Carcinomatosis then -> original cancer
What means its the duty of the docotr to report deaths to the coroner
Notificantion of death regulations 2019
What circumstances mean death needs to be reported to the coroner
Not attended by a doctor during final illness
Not seen by doctor wither after death or 14 days prior to
Cause of death unknown OR unnatural
In custody or war pension
Unnatural death is
Cirminal - murder, manslaughter, infanticide, aiding suicide, dangerous or careless driving, suspicious
Suicide
Accident - RTC, domestic, industrial (even if years gap)
Industrial disease - pneumonicosis, asbestosis
Medical related deaths
Miscellaneous
What deaths are counted as associated with medical or surgical treatment
During a medical or surgical procedures
24 hour rule admission to hospital
Treatment caused, contributed or accelerated death
‘Negligence’
Miscellaneous unnatural deaths
Abortion or miscarriage
Neglect - hypothermia, pressure sores
Acute alcohol if acute
Drug abuse
Children
What is an inquest
If autopsy doesnt show cause of death or unnatural cause death
To answer questions - to determine who, where, when and how they died - sequence of events leading to medical cause of death -> conclusion from coroner
Types of post mortem
Medico-legal - forensic, coroners. Performed by law.
Consented - hospital. Clinicians interest
How is an autopsy done
Clinical history - PMH, last illness, circumstances of death, medications, social hisotry - occupation, drugs, alcohol
External examination
Evisceration
Organ dissection
Further tests
Report
Further tests in autospy
Hisotlogy
Micorbiology
Biochemistry/toxicology
Orgna retention
What are consented autopsies regulated by
Human tissue authority - human tissue act 2004
What does next of kin have to understand in autopsy consent
What autopsy entails, why requested, limitatons of autopsy, when to expect result
Decide extent of autospy, extenet of tissue retention, what will happen to any retained tissue
What is the human tissue act principles
Informed consent above all
Anything which incudes cells
Penalties of up to 3 years in rison
HTA
What does HTA do
Issues code of practice
Inform public
Licesne activities
Increase premises
Consented autopsy why done
Understanding of disease/treatment
Audit and education
Provision of data
Genetic/grief counselling
Establishes the truth
Minimally invasive autopsies
MRI/CT
needle biopsy
Laparascopic
Limited
