Decedent Affairs

It is UTMB policy that an autopsy is requested on all non-medico-legal inpatient deaths (IHOP 9.15.2).

When there is a death, the pronouncing physician is responsible for completing the following:

Document death note in EPIC:

Date and time of death

Cause of death

Completing the Form 5012

Section 1

Determines whether the Galveston County Medical Examiner has jurisdiction over the death and if so contact the Galveston County Medical Examiner office (see Reportable Death Section)

Section 2

TDCJ Deaths - If the physician is interested in an autopsy see TDCJ Death. Otherwise notify the TDCJ Chaplain office, ext 26191, or TDCJ communications, ext. 26108.

Section 3

Determine the legal next-of-kin

Section 4

Discuss autopsy with families and complete the autopsy consent. UTMB offers autopsies for all inpatient deaths. The pronouncing physician is responsible for discussing autopsy procedures with the legal next-of-kin, either in person or by phone. They are responsible for obtaining written consent when the legal next-of-kin is present and agrees to the procedure. If the legal next-of-kin cannot be contacted or are not present to sign the consent, send the body to the UTMB Autopsy Service morgue.
The physician is to then check the appropriate box in section 4 indicating the outcome of the discussion with the legal next-of-kin and sign next to the appropriate statement.

Section 5

Disposition of the body - Discuss funeral home release with the next-of-kin. If unavailable the physician may obtain telephone authorization for the disposition. Document on the Form 5012 whether disposition arrangement has been determined.

Section 6

Checklist Print name and pager number of physician to be notified before autopsy.

On-line Death Certification

See instructions for on-line death certification (www.TERDeath.Texasvsu.org)

REMEMBER: the pronouncing physician is responsible for completing the death certificate on TER.