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Saturday, 01 February 1997
Consumers Digest
A death in the family may leave questions behind regarding the exact cause of death, liability disputes, whether a genetic defect existed that might affect other family members in the future or whether a dementia was Alzheimer's disease.
A death in the family may leave questions behind regarding the exact cause of death, liability disputes, whether a genetic defect existed that might affect other family members in the future or whether a dementia was Alzheimer's disease. In the 1950's, when half the patients who died in a hospital were autopsied, the questions were answered by an autopsy, an invaluable teaching tool that helped guide physicians in their diagnosis and treatments. Today, according to a study reported in Physicians Weekly, only about 5 percent of those who die in the U.S. are autopsied. "The post-mortem exam has been squelched by noninvasive imaging (such as MRIs), overconfident clinicians, tight hospital budgets, fear of litigious relatives-and zero reimbursement for most pathologist," the article states.
A Southern-California company is now providing private autopsies to meet this need. Autopsy/Post Services, Inc. employs retired pathologists for this purpose. Clients include private individuals, attorneys, hospitals and funeral homes. The firm was founded by Vidal Herrera, a former technician in the Los Angeles coroner's office, who plans to franchise the service nationally. You can order an autopsy by calling 800-AUTOPSY.
