A HEFTY R64 000 bill for an autopsy report deprived the family of Anthony de Aranjo Santana of the peace of mind they so desperately wanted.
Having experienced issues with Wentworth Hospital, the Bluff-based family opted to have the autopsy done by a funeral parlour instead.
The family lost confidence in the hospital as Santana’s final days were marred by constant struggles for treatment at the hospital. This was extensively covered in the SUN.
Santana’s niece, Morgan Jordaan, said her family was advised that the hospital could do the autopsy free of charge.
“We already had serious trust issues regarding the hospital and the family did not feel confident that the hospital would give us a factual autopsy report.
“A funeral parlour on the Bluff was willing to do an autopsy, but at a cost of R64 000. The family was told that it would take six months to get the results. This was definitely not an option for us because of the costs,” she said.
As an alternative, she said her family requested blood and a lung tissue sample be taken to ascertain the hospital’s diagnosis of TB.
That too proved to be futile as they were advised that samples had to be taken within 10 days after death.
“But this process was so difficult, a special laboratory had to be contacted and the paperwork and red tape to have this actually done were impossible for the time frame that we had.
“After the 10-day threshold, the live organisms in the body start to decay. And seeing it took Wentworth five days to release the body, we were quickly running out of time.
“We found out about the tissue and blood sample testing on the ninth day and then there was a major misunderstanding of who was supposed to sign the right documents for this test to be done.
“And by law, the body has to be released to an undertaker within 48 hours. Once again Wentworth Hospital did as they please when they please regardless of the law and legislation,” she said.
Santana’s wife, Mary, said their issues with the hospital still persist even after her husband’s death.
“We have a dreaded disease policy. The claims company gave me forms to give the hospital so that my husband could claim his pension. It’s still sitting in the file at the hospital.
“I don’t even get a pension now. All they had to do was fill it out. It was there the whole month until he died,” she said, adding that this issue affects more than just one person, but a tax-paying family.
She said the family had had no joy in dealing with her husband’s passing either.
“On the day of my husband’s passing, they took him from the ward to the morgue and we were told to come back on Tuesday. He died on Saturday. It was a long weekend. He was supposed to have been out of the morgue within a space of 48 hours, by law.
“The morning the funeral parlour collected my husband from the hospital, we asked for his file. We were told it had never been asked for before and that it was not protocol for the family to be given a patience’s file. But, I know we are allowed to ask for the file by law,” she said.
Frequently asked questions about autopsies
What is an autopsy?
An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a medical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a deceased person to determine the cause of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present.
Autopsies can be classified into cases where only the outer (external) surface of the body is examined (usually referred to as a post mortem examination) or where the outer surface of the body and the inner (internal) organs are examined (usually referred to as an autopsy).
Why is it necessary to perform a post mortem examination?
When a person dies due to unnatural causes, it is required by South African Law that a post mortem examination be performed on the deceased. The permission (consent) of the family is not needed to perform the autopsy and the next of kin may not say no to this process.
By careful examination of the outer surface of the body as well as the inner organs, the doctor will note down all the injuries and wounds on the deceased. In certain cases, for example where bullets entered the body, photos are taken to explain injuries accurately at a future court proceeding.
How is an autopsy performed?
There are two parts to the physical examination of the deceased: the external examination of the outer surface of the body and the internal examination of the organs. The autopsy starts with a thorough external examination.
The deceased will still be clothed at this stage. The doctor notes the kind of clothes and the position on the body. After removal of the clothing, the outer body surface will be examined for signs of injuries. These injuries will be carefully noted and may be photographed. If indicated, samples such as hair and nail clippings will be collected during the external examination process. X-rays may also be taken of the body in certain situations.
