N.J. Admin. Code § 8:35-3.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 8:35-3.2 - Autopsy and alternative evaluation

(a) The facility shall provide postmortem services for stillborn children in accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:43G-25.

(b) The primary physician shall address the following with the patient:

1. The availability of a complete autopsy or an alternative evaluation of the child and what each postmortem examination entails;

2. The importance of an autopsy for the family;

3. The significance autopsy findings may have on the patient's future pregnancies; and

4. The significance that data from an autopsy may have on other families through research.

(c) If the parents of a stillborn child consent to an autopsy, the autopsy shall meet the standards established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or its successor in accordance with the Management of Stillbirth, ACOG Practice Bulletin, No. 102, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2009; 113:748-61, incorporated herein by reference, as supplemented and amended.

1. The results of the autopsy shall be documented in the patient's medical record.

(d) If the parents of a stillborn child do not consent to an autopsy, they shall be offered an alternative evaluation and, if they consent to such an evaluation, the evaluation shall meet the standards established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or its successor in accordance with the Management of Stillbirth, ACOG Practice Bulletin, No. 102, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2009; 113:748-61.

1. The results of the alternative evaluation shall be documented in the patient's medical record.

(e) The facility shall develop a declination form for the patient to sign when she declines an autopsy and alternative evaluation.

1. A copy of the executed declination form shall be filed with the patient's medical record.

(f) The facility shall develop a consent form for both autopsies and alternative evaluations, which must be signed by the patient prior to the performance of the postmortem examination.

1. The forms must set forth the details of the autopsy or alternative evaluation that will be performed on the stillborn child.

2. The consent forms must contain a notice that all reports generated as a result of the postmortem procedures will be reported to the Department, in a de-identified format, and will be made available to the public and researchers.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:35-3.2

Adopted by 50 N.J.R. 512(a), effective 1/16/2018