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How are you handling autopsies (especially for pneumonia), in the context of COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2? I worry about infected patients without a diagnosis of COVID-19.
Of note, here are CDC's guidelines:
Postmortem activities should be conducted with a focus on avoiding aerosol generating procedures, and ensuring that if aerosol generation is likely (e.g., when using an oscillating saw) that appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) are used. These precautions and the use of Standard Precautions should ensure that appropriate work practices are used to prevent direct contact with infectious material, percutaneous injury, and hazards related to moving heavy remains and handling embalming chemicals.
If an autopsy is performed, collection of the following postmortem specimens is recommended:
Postmortem clinical specimens for testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19:
Upper respiratory tract swabs: Nasopharyngeal Swab AND Oropharyngeal Swab (NP swab and OP swab)
Lower respiratory tract swab: Lung swab from each lung
Separate clinical specimens for testing of other respiratory pathogens and other postmortem testing as indicated
Formalin-fixed autopsy tissues from lung, upper airway, and other major organs
If an autopsy is NOT performed, collection of the following postmortem specimens is recommended:
Postmortem clinical specimens for testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to include only upper respiratory tract swabs: Nasopharyngeal Swab AND Oropharyngeal Swab (NP swab and OP swab)
Separate NP swab and OP swab specimens for testing of other respiratory pathogens
Of note, here are CDC's guidelines:
Postmortem activities should be conducted with a focus on avoiding aerosol generating procedures, and ensuring that if aerosol generation is likely (e.g., when using an oscillating saw) that appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) are used. These precautions and the use of Standard Precautions should ensure that appropriate work practices are used to prevent direct contact with infectious material, percutaneous injury, and hazards related to moving heavy remains and handling embalming chemicals.
If an autopsy is performed, collection of the following postmortem specimens is recommended:
Postmortem clinical specimens for testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19:
Upper respiratory tract swabs: Nasopharyngeal Swab AND Oropharyngeal Swab (NP swab and OP swab)
Lower respiratory tract swab: Lung swab from each lung
Separate clinical specimens for testing of other respiratory pathogens and other postmortem testing as indicated
Formalin-fixed autopsy tissues from lung, upper airway, and other major organs
If an autopsy is NOT performed, collection of the following postmortem specimens is recommended:
Postmortem clinical specimens for testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to include only upper respiratory tract swabs: Nasopharyngeal Swab AND Oropharyngeal Swab (NP swab and OP swab)
Separate NP swab and OP swab specimens for testing of other respiratory pathogens