Online Requests for Information The Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner (ACOME) has worked with the Allegheny County Department of Information Technology to develop an online request for information form. Previously, someone would have to call in to the office to request information on specific cases. The information may not have been readily available, or they would have to be transferred to one or more individuals for the appropriate approvals and information. The newly developed online form allows requests for information to be submitted directly through the Medical Examiner’s Office website. These requests are directed to appropriate management for approval of release of information and then streamlined for efficient response to the requesting individual. ACOME continuously strives to maintain good relations with the media and general public, and this newly developed online request for information form is another example of ways we are working to improve services to the citizens of Allegheny County.
Successful Partnerships and Collaborations
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner has recently entered into several data sharing agreements that will enhance services and resources on a statewide level. These data sharing agreements include Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) programs such as the PADOH Violent Death Reporting program and the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). These initiatives allow for data transmission and collection that, when compiled on a state level, will help make data driven decisions on new resources, programs or services necessary throughout the Commonwealth. ACOME has also entered into a five-year cooperation with the Allegheny County Health Department focused on overdose prevention through the Overdose to Action (OD2A) grant funding. This cooperation will expand the breadth of the laboratory testing in these cases as well as increase the level of data sharing of drug analysis and toxicology testing data between organizations. ANAB Accreditation Continuation The Allegheny County Medical Examiner underwent a Surveillance Document Review by the accreditation body, ANAB, and was granted full accreditation continuation for the ISO/IEC 17025 & 17020. These accreditations span both operational areas of the Medical Examiner’s Office: Morgue Operations and Laboratory Operations. Accreditations further establish the gold standard upheld by ACOME.
Facilities Upgrades ACOME embarked on several facility
wide enhancements and improvements in 2023, including project planning for chiller replacements, HVAC control monitoring upgrades, and an entire system-wide generator replacement. ACOME has also completed project planning and full implementation for entire cooler replacements. This endeavor provided more efficient and reliable coolers – four in total - installed to house evidence items or decedents handled at ACOME for casework purposes.
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