[Histonet] release of body parts

[Cartun, Richard]

We no longer release any tissue to a patient that comes to our Pathology Laboratory in formalin, and our Legal Department supports this decision.  I know that our "Labor & Delivery" Unit has released placentas to patients; however, if the specimen doesn't come to Pathology, we don't get involved.  For certain types of specimens received in formalin (POC, fetus, amputation, etc.) a patient can request the release of their specimen, but they have to make arrangements with a funeral home or mortuary to take procession of the specimen here at the hospital and, yes, they (funeral home/mortuary) must sign the release form.

Please keep in mind that each state may have statues on the release of human tissue to patients or their families.  I also know that some towns here in CT have ordinances preventing residents from burying human tissue on their property.

Richard

Richard W. Cartun, MS, PhD
Director, Histology & The Martin M. Berman, MD
  Immunopathology/Morphologic Proteomics Laboratory
Assistant Director, Anatomic Pathology
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Hartford Hospital
80 Seymour Street
Hartford, CT  06102
(860) 972-1596 Office
(860) 545-2204 (Fax)


-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Schmitt via Histonet [mailto:histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 12:33 PM
To: histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] release of body parts

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Hello-
We are seeing a bit more of patients that are requesting to take their body parts with them (uterus, POC, etc); I am talking home  - not the funeral home.
Are you using a release of body parts form to fill out with the patient?
Are you draining off the formalin, or sending in formalin with parafilm around the lid?
Thank you for your thoughts,
Nancy Schmitt MLT, HT(ASCP)
Pathology Support Services
Dubuque, IA  52001


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