For Physicians

Autopsy

NYU Pathology autopsy services are located in Bellevue Hospital, where more than 200 autopsies are performed annually for Tisch Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, and several other hospitals in the HHC system. The Autopsy Service is directed by Amy Rapkiewicz, M.D. Autopsies are carried out in order to determine the causes and manner of death as accurately and comprehensively as possible by using clinical history and anatomic findings. They are designed to elucidate the types, severity, and extent of various disease processes in the body examined. Autopsies also provide clinical-pathologic correlation to the clinicians who cared for the patient and they serve as the last quality assurance in medical care.

The intent of the NYU Department of Pathology and its autopsy service is to perform these tasks in a thorough, scholarly, and timely manner. Autopsies offer an opportunity for training in normal and pathological gross anatomy; in histological examination and interpretation of normal and abnormal tissues; and in clinical pathologic formulations. In the NYU program, there are autopsies across the full range of patient ages from fetal and newborn deaths on into late old age. In our continuing efforts to sustain and improve patient care and to foster medical research, the Department of Pathology strongly encourages colleagues to request autopsies for all hospital deaths in order to facilitate a significant increase in autopsy procedures.

Autopsies may also be performed at the request of relatives, so that the post-mortem examination can provide important health information and medical assurances to surviving family members of the deceased. We encourage you to take the time to consult with the next of kin in order to seek permission for autopsies.

Turnaround Time
The College of American Pathologists requires that the majority of autopsy reports be completed with in 30 days. We comply with this regulation. The maximum time allowable is 60 days for completion of an autopsy. A preliminary anatomic diagnosis is offered within 24 hours and distributed to the clinicians of record. Brain tissue and spinal cords must typically be fixed from 7 to 10 days prior to microscopic examination. The final anatomic diagnosis is submitted after review of microscopic materials and special procedures, if any, along with the neuropathologic and toxicologic findings, the written descriptions of the gross and microscopic findings, and the diagnoses and opinion regarding the cause of death.

Safety: Universal precautions are followed.

Lab Hours: 9am -5pm. There is a pathology resident on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for more emergent cases.

Ship specimens to:
Bellevue Hospital
Department of Pathology
Autopsy Division, 4th floor
462 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Pathologists