Georgetown University Medical Center

Exclusionary Criteria

Section: Georgetown University Anatomical Donor Program

Not all bodies of the deceased are eligible for donation.

Georgetown University cannot accept bodies
if any of the following conditions exist at the time of death:

1. There has been an autopsy or embalming.
Rationale: An autopsy interferes with normal anatomical relationship. Routine embalming as performed by funeral homes renders the body unsuitable for dissection.

2. There has been recent major surgery or excessive life-saving attempts.
Rationale: The anatomical relations are altered.

3. There has been extensive surgery resulting in the removal of limbs or major organs.
Rationale: The anatomical relations are altered.

4. The body was severely damaged in an accident.
Rationale: The anatomical relations are altered.

5. There is a diagnosis of widespread cancer.*
Rationale: The anatomical relations are altered.
*Please note: Please discuss cancer cases with our Anatomical Curator because in many instances, we can still accept donations.

6. The donor was the carrier of an infectious disease.
Rationale: This is a health hazard to staff, faculty, and students.

7. The donor is in fetal position or has contracted limbs.
Rationale: The body must lay flat on a table in order to be placed in our storage area.

8. The donor is obese (e.g., 200 pounds at a height of 5 feet).
Rationale: The body is too large for storage in our storage area containers.

9. Donor died more than three days before donation.
Rationale: The body must be embalmed as soon as possible after death so that there will be proper preservation.

10. Donor is outside of a 50-mile radius from Georgetown.
Rationale: This greatly increases the cost incurred by the Medical School. The family may opt to donate the body to a Donor Program within closer proximity or alternatively, the family can pay for the transportation costs to have the body sent to Georgetown.

11. There is no space available in our mortuary.
Rationale: Storage space in the morgue may be limited at times.