Presentation on Implementation of the HSE Standards and Recommended Practices on Post Mortem Examination Services (From Acute Hospital Network, March 2014) [AHN 9]

1. Beaumont Hospital
Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

2. Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

3.  Bristol Royal Infirmary
 Alder Hey Liverpool
 Retained Organs Commission
 Human Tissue Act (2004)
 Human Tissue Authority (2004)
 The Dunne Inquiry (2001)
 The Madden Report (2005)
 Report of the Working Group on Post Mortem Practices
(2006)
 The Willis Report (2007)
 The Carter Report (2009)
 Human Tissue Bill (2009)
 HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Post
Mortem Examination (2012)
Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

4.  Four sections covering
 Introduction
 Standards
 Recommended Practices
 Communication
 Consent
 Deaths reportable to the Coroner
 Record Management
 Transportation
 Additional Resources
Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

5.  Introduced protocol for managing cases in
2000
 All families where death is reportable to the coroner
are advised of post mortem process and possibility of
organ retention
 Families are given information leaflet on the process
 Family member is nominated as contact person
 Nominated family member signs information form
confirming receipt of information and their details for
further contact.
Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

6. Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

7.  Immediately following the post mortem all families
are contacted to advise of outcome of post mortem in
terms of organ retention and are provided with
support and information
 If no organs are retained ongoing support is
provided in terms of what happens next.
 If organs are retained families are advised
immediately and ongoing contact is maintained with
the bereved family until the organ is returned.
 Ongoing bereavement support is offered at Level 2
Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

8. Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

9. Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

10.  Language
 Family distress re violation of remains of deceased
 Confusion re consent / Role of the Coroner
 Post Mortems from other hospitals
 Challenges associated with return of organ to families
 Ongoing bereavement support
Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.

11. Social Work Department,
Beaumont Hospital.