Guidelines assessment and practices during COVID-19 autopsies

Abstract

'PANDEMIC': A word which shook the whole world due to the fear of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) - coronavirus-2  (CoV-2) outbreak in Wuhan, China which affected myriad lives worldwide till date. These numbers are increasing rapidly causing an  inevitable rise in autopsy cases. Many reputed organizations stepped forward and released guidelines regarding the post-mortem  examination in suspected COVID-19 cases. At present we are equipped with various such guidelines. Centre of Disease Control  (CDC), Royal College of Pathologists (RCP) and WHO guidance are considered worldwide which elaborate the risks, precautions and  safety measures for the Health care worker. In India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) has framed the guidelines on  dead body management. The following article is a review of the guidelines given by various apex bodies with a pragmatic approach  regarding applicability and feasibility in the Indian scenario with certain recommendations.