Governor signs into law Hatfield bill ensuring best practices in handling autopsies

INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed into law legislation authored by State Rep. Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) that is designed to ensure that Indiana hospitals use the best possible practices when handling autopsies.

House Enrolled Act 1571, which takes effect July 1, extends the ability of hospital peer review committees to review all autopsies conducted at a facility. These committees—made up of health care professionals and hospital personnel—are designed to evaluate the quality of care at hospitals.

“This act will allow county coroners to make autopsy reports available to the peer review committee at the hospital where the decedent was treated immediately before death,” Hatfield said. “It will enable health care professionals to learn what has happened with each person, and find out if there is any additional information that can help them make better preventative care decisions.

“I am very appreciative of the help and input I received from my colleague State Rep. Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) on this legislation,” he continued. “This is a logical step forward in making sure that hospitals provide the best possible environments for safe and productive health care.”