A medical examiner's autopsy table is the centerpiece of the suite. The right table supports your workflow, your safety protocols, your drainage and ventilation planning, and your long-term durability needs. A poor choice costs money for twenty years. Here's how to choose.

Three Key Questions Before You Buy

1. Single station or multi-room facility? A county ME with one autopsy room has different needs than a large urban medical examiner's office with multiple dissection stations. USPE makes fixed-height and mobile autopsy tables for both. 2. Do you need a covered table? Covered autopsy/dissection tables with hinged stainless covers and gas-shock lid assist let you secure the body between procedures, protect ventilation, and prepare the room. USPE covered tables come with the 2026 Maintenance Guide included. 3. Ventilation and chemical exposure? If your morgue is handling formaldehyde or formalin, you need a ventilation-ready table and a written facility plan per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1048.

Autopsy Table Types

Standard Fixed-Height Tables — 304 stainless, grates and drains, fixed working height. Best for single-station rooms where the table stays in place. Hydraulic Elevating Tables — foot-pedal or electric lift for ergonomic positioning. Best for examiners who perform extended dissections and need height adjustment. Covered Autopsy Tables — hinged stainless cover with gas-shock assist, 6-inch exhaust port, no electrical required. Best for facilities needing secure closure between procedures and ventilation-ready design. Mobile Autopsy Carts — mobile base with locking casters. Best for facilities moving bodies between cooler and autopsy suite.

What to Check Before Specifying

Doorway clearance: measure the autopsy suite entrance and hallway to the cooler. Mobile tables need swing space; fixed tables need floor space. Floor conditions: concrete slab, tile, wood? Drainage slope and sump location matter. Electrical and ventilation: if you're ordering a hydraulic or electric table, confirm 120V availability. If your room uses formaldehyde, confirm your facility's ventilation system and OSHA exposure plan. Caster type: polyurethane treads vs. stainless steel, swivel vs. directional locking. Grate and drain: removable grates for cleaning, PVC ball-valve drains for easy access.

USPE Autopsy Tables for Medical Examiners

Browse the complete autopsy tables collection or contact USPE for a specification review: most medical examiners' offices qualify for purchase-order procurement, W-9s and insurance certificates provided. The Pathology & Anatomy Lab Compliance Guide covers OSHA requirements and ventilation planning. Every table includes a parts-only warranty (WR-1.0) and comes with maintenance guides and quarterly inspection templates.