Hatfield-authored bill concerning autopsy reports is on its way to governor for final approval

INDIANAPOLIS – Legislation authored by State Rep. Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) that will help ensure hospitals across Indiana use best practices in handling autopsies is on its way to Gov. Eric Holcomb for final approval.

Indiana House members today concurred with technical corrections made to House Bill 1571 by the state Senate. If signed by the governor, the measure would take effect July 1.

“House Bill 1571 allows a county coroner, under certain circumstances, to make an autopsy report available to the peer review committee at the hospital where the decedent was treated immediately before death,” Hatfield said.

Peer review committees are set up at hospitals to evaluate the quality of care at the facility. The committees are usually made up of health care professionals and hospital personnel.

“Committees are designed to make sure that hospitals are using the best practices available in patient care, and I believe extension of this oversight to include autopsies is a reasonable step,” Hatfield said. “Providing autopsy reports will enable professionals to learn what has happened with each patient, and see if there is additional information that can provide insights on preventative care. It is all part of making sure that hospitals provide safe and productive health care environments.”

House Bill 1571 was co-authored by State Rep. Ron Bacon (R-Chandler).