The autopsy subspecialty division of Hospital Pathology Associates (HPA) manages all adult autopsies provided in the Allina Health system. We perform complete examinations, including a comprehensive evaluation of all organs, including the central nervous system. We also honor all requests by next of kin for limited examinations (e.g., “heart only”) to meet the specific needs of the family and the clinical care team.
All examinations are performed with the utmost respect to preserve our patients’ dignity. We work closely with expert organ system subspecialty groups at HPA, including neuropathology for specialized examination of the central nervous system and cardiac pathologists at the Jesse E. Edwards Registry for Cardiovascular Disease to fully document the decedent’s underlying pathologies. In addition, we offer our condolences and provide informal counseling to help the patient’s family understand the ailments that affected their loved one and provide insight and understanding during grieving. This can be a difficult and emotional time for family members, and we are here for you. A group of dedicated pathologists and pathologist’s assistants staff the autopsy team and perform the principal gross examination and subsequent microscopic examination leading to a comprehensive final autopsy report.
We work closely with our clinical colleagues and provide support to educational conferences for the Internal Medicine Residency at Abbot Northwestern. Autopsies are performed at the Allina Central Laboratory in a secured, state-of-the-art facility. We leverage a broad range of on-site laboratory diagnostic tools from the Allina Histology and Immunohistochemistry Laboratories and have the ability to utilize external expert diagnostic resources and esoteric testing for answers.
