Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Autopsy Exam; (Synonyms: Adult, Medico-Legal, AUT)

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB9

Specimen Type:

Autopsy

Specimen Source:

Autopsy

Primary Container:

Body Bag

Specimen Collection Requirements:

All bodies must be placed in a body bag for transfer and receipt to APL.

An identification tag must be attached to the body and also to the outside of the body bag (2 identification tags).
The tags must have the following information:

First and last name
At least one of the following:
- Alberta Health or Personal Health Number
- Hospital Patient Identification Number (where applicable)

Special handling procedures must be followed for autopsies on bodies with known or suspected infectious disease, see Test Resources.

Signed Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request form, Charts and Notice of Death are sent to Vital Stats at the hospital site to be forwarded with the body to the performing site.

Refer to Adult Autopsy in Test Resources for further information.

Edmonton Zone:
All paperwork is sent to the admitting department or the Anatomical Pathology (AP) department at the hospital performing the autopsy. If coming from another hospital, original paperwork transported with body – any originals that cannot be sent with the body are faxed to Anatomical Pathology department at the University of Alberta Hospital.

Test Resources:

Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request AHS 20597

Resource Links:
Adult Autopsy
Bodies with Known or Suspected Infectious Disease

Edmonton, Central and North Zones:
Client Resource - Autopsy Requests Guideline

Stability and Storage:

Refrigerate, until next working day, maximum 3 days, if immediate transport not possible.

Transportation:

Calgary and South Zones:
Autopsies from AHS Hospital Sites: The Admission/Patient Placement department of the hospital where the death occurred is responsible for arranging the transfer of a body to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Autopsies from Non-Hospital Sites Within the Boundaries of the Calgary Zone: Any charges that result from the transportation of the body to the Foothills Medical Centre are the responsibility of the family.

Edmonton Zone:
The requesting facility will be responsible for the arrangement of transportation of the body to performing laboratory using Capital Transport Service. The receiving facility will be invoiced for the transport one way; the family of the deceased is responsible for the arrangement of pick-up through a funeral home.

North Zone:
The requesting facility will be responsible for the arrangement of transportation of the body to the performing laboratory using the funeral home of the family’s choice. The receiving facility will be invoiced for the transport one way; the family of the deceased is responsible for the arrangement of pick-up through a funeral home.

Routine Turn Around Time:

Typically, the deceased is available for release within 48 hours of death. Preliminary reports available within 3 business days, final reports within 60 days.

Testing Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Central Zone:
Not available Stat Holidays

Testing Area:

Anatomical Pathology

Performing Site:

Calgary Zone	Foothills Medical Centre
Central Zone	Foothills Medical Centre
Edmonton Zone	University of Alberta Hospital
North Zone	University of Alberta Hospital
South Zone	Foothills Medical Centre

Additional Test Information:

Impending death or death with suspected/known metabolic disease:
Sites referring to Calgary: Contact Metabolic Disease Services at Alberta Childrens Hospital, see Contact/Comments.
Sites referring to Edmonton: Metabolic autopsies are STAT. During routine work hours, call or page autopsy staff. After hours contact resident on call for Anatomical Pathology. See Contact/Comments.

For medico-legal/forensic cases refer to Adult Autopsy, see Test resources.

Calgary Zone:
Neuropathology cases (including CJD):

Either alone or combined with request for general autopsy.
Contact FMC Neuropathologist on call for approval.

Edmonton and North Zones:
Prior to sending the body and associated paperwork, phone the appropriate site autopsy suite to confirm the necessary paperwork is complete.

	Send Body and Paperwork to:
Edmonton and North Zones: All facilities including auxiliary hospitals and nursing homes, cases external to AHS facilities (death at home), and WCB cases	University of Alberta Hospital (UAH)
Neuropathology cases (including CJD): All facilities. Either alone or combined with request for general autopsy. Contact UAH Neuropathologist on call for approval.	University of Alberta Hospital
Bariatric Patients (greater than or equal to 350lbs): All facilities. Units must inform protective services that patient is for autopsy when calling for transfer.	University of Alberta Hospital (UAH)

South Zone:

Requesting physician must complete required paperwork and AHS Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request form.
Ensure paperwork and a copy of the chart is sent with the body to the morgue.
Send completed AHS Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request form to emergency admitting/equivalent department responsible for sending the case to Calgary.

Contact Comments:

Calgary Zone:
Metabolic Disease Service at Alberta Children’s Hospital:
Phone (ACH) 403-955-7211

Edmonton Zone:
University of Alberta (UAH) Laboratory:
Phone 780-407-8936, Fax 780-407-2131
UAH Autopsy Pager: 780-445-5374

North Zone:
Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Laboratory: 825-412-4363
Northern Lights Regional Hospital Laboratory: 780-791-6156

South Zone:
Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH):
Client Service Center (Lethbridge & Area): 403-388-6057
Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (MHRH):
Monday to Friday contact: 403-502-8648 ext. 1144 Afterhours, weekends, statutory holidays contact: 403-502-8648 ext. 1540

Last Updated On:

Tuesday, May 9, 2023