Position Paper on the Conduct of the Autopsy during and after the COVID Pandemic

Abstract

This document is a supplement to DOH memorandum 2021-0425.

With the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, pathologists – both in-training residents and consultants
– are attempting to return to their pre-pandemic workload and learning to live with COVID-19. One of the most
important jobs of the pathologist is the performance of the autopsy, and residents, as future pathologists, must also be trained to be adept at performing an autopsy. Fear of COVID-19 should not be a deterrent nor an excuse for not performing autopsies when the benefits of performing an autopsy outweighs its risks. In this light, the following updated recommendations are made.