Autopsy Pathology

Details

Title

Autopsy Pathology

Type

Stage One

Module code

HLS305

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect to background and principles, be able to:

• Analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• Perform a range of technical and clinical skills and procedures
• Demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for professional practice as a consultant clinical scientist dealing with the complexities, uncertainties and tensions of profession

Knowledge and understanding

General

• Demonstrates understanding of methods for identification of the patient
• Describes the pathological basis of disease and the macroscopic/microscopic pathology of various types of death
• Describes the anatomy, macroscopic features of major disease processes and common tissue dissection techniques relevant to autopsy practice
• Recognises the training undertaken by anatomical pathology technologists (APTs) and the role that they can appropriately play within all aspects of the mortuary function (see aaptuk.org)
• Identifies the use of clinical information and the health record in autopsy examination
• Demonstrates knowledge of the main side effects of common treatments and the major complications of most surgical procedures
• Demonstrates awareness of the principles and practice of digital autopsies

Autopsy technique

• Demonstrates knowledge of autopsies in a variety of clinical situations, such as:
  • cardiac disease of uncertain cause
  • endocrine / metabolic death
  • hepatic disease of unknown cause
  • intra-abdominal disease of unknown cause
  • neurological disease of unknown cause
  • renal disease of unknown cause
  • respiratory disease of unknown cause

Deaths in the community

• Describes and explains the aims of the autopsy and investigations required where death occurs in the community and there are no suspicious circumstances

Microbiology

• Identifies microbiological processes that are relevant to autopsy practice; e.g., sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis

Histology

• Describes the post-mortem histological appearances of various common fatal conditions

Other investigations

• Describes those areas of haematology, biochemistry, medical genetics and other investigative modalities that are relevant to autopsy practice

Consent

• Is conversant with current policy in relation to consent for autopsies and for tissue or organ retention
• Is conversant with current policy in relation to tissue or organ donation
• Identifies the legal basis of consent to autopsy examination and the circumstances for which consent is not required

Health and safety

• Describes relevant protocols and documentation of departmental working practices and the practicalities of mortuary practice
• Describes and explains regulatory aspects of health and safety issues
• Summarises the following documents: Safe Working and Prevention of Infection in the Mortuary and Autopsy Suite (Health Services Advisory Commission) Guidelines on Autopsy Practice

Coroner’s / Procurat or Fiscal Service Regulations

• Demonstrates familiarity with the duty to report deaths to the appropriate legal authority within the four countries of the UK
• Understand the preliminary enquiries that may take place via the coroner or procurator fiscal

Autopsy report 

• Demonstrates familiarity with the RCPath Guidelines of Autopsy Practice and Best Practice Scenarios

Teaching

• Explains the value of the autopsy as a teaching aid
• Demonstrates awareness of the value of communication relevant autopsy findings to clinicians