Procedures on the Newly Deceased
gme-adm-0020
About This Policy
- Effective Date:
- 02-12-2014
- Date of Last Review/Update:
- 04-10-2023
- Responsible University Office:
- Graduate Medical Education
- Responsible University Administrator:
- Senior Associate Dean for GME
- Policy Contact:
- GME Assistant Director Emilie Leveque
eleveque@iu.edu
- Policy Feedback:
- If you have comments or questions about this policy, let us know with the policy feedback form.
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Scope
This policy applies to all Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) Graduate Medical Education (GME) resident physicians.Policy Statement
IUSM firmly prohibits invasive procedures on the newly deceased solely for teaching purposes by learners.
It is understood that IUSM training programs have an obligation to ensure residents’ procedural and technical skills, including abilities to perform invasive procedures. Additionally, any patient who is an organ donor has already agreed to further invasive procedures.
IUSM believes that trainees can learn procedural competency without performing invasive procedures on the newly deceased. Learning experiences such as cadaver labs, simulation, and animal labs, are acceptable methods for teaching invasive procedures.
Consented autopsy and organ donation procedures are not a violation of this policy. Additionally, in some situations, surgeons may choose to continue an active operation on a deceased patient with the intent of determining a cause of death.
Reason for Policy
The purpose of this policy is to define the IUSM policy on invasive procedures performed on the newly deceased. A fundamental requirement of the profession of a physician is to maintain public and individual trust. IUSM believes that the teaching of invasive procedures on newly deceased patients is not acceptable and therefore, will not be tolerated.Definitions
A resident is an IUSM resident or fellow, or a non-IUSM resident or fellow electively rotating through IUSM and provides clinical care as part of a GME program.Implementation
The Designated Institutional Official (DIO) for Graduate Medical Education is responsible for implementation of this policy.Oversight
Policy authority for this document resides with the Graduate Medical Education Committee. The DIO and the Graduate Medical Education Committee are responsible for oversight. This policy will be reviewed every three years or more often if deemed necessary.History
- Policy gme-adm-0020 approved by GMEC and published on 12 February 2014.
- Policy reviewed, updated, and approved by GMEC on 12 February 2014.
- Policy updated for formatting 05 March 2018.
- Policy reviewed by Polices & Procedures Subcommittee 18 June 2018.
- Policy updated for formatting 27 June 2018.
- Revised and approved by GMEC 5 December 2018.
- Reviewed and updated 10 April 2023.
- Policy approved by GMEC 19 April 2023.