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Wayne County approves autopsy services agreement as DA urges autopsies when needed
Summary
The Public Safety Committee approved an agreement with Geneva General Hospital for autopsy services and heard a county district attorney stress that necessary autopsies should not be avoided despite cost pressures. The coroner reported 22 year-to-date cases and 10 autopsies for the year.
The Wayne County Public Safety Committee on March 3 approved an authorization to enter into an agreement with Geneva General Hospital for autopsy services, voting 4-0. Coroner Phil Pettine reported eight cases in the reporting period, bringing the year-to-date total to 22, with three autopsies in the period and 10 autopsies for the year.
District Attorney Christine Callanan responded to the coroner's remarks about cost by telling the Committee that "autopsies should not be avoided when they are necessary," noting their importance in determining cause of death and providing closure for families. The Committee recorded the transmittal as approved 4-0. The minutes show the Coroner also noted an increase in hospice-related cases and indicated the office has been limiting autopsies where possible because of cost concerns.
