How can hospital autopsy rates be increased?

Brooks, J P; Dempsey, J · Arch Pathol Lab Med · 1991

review · Level V

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Abstract

Autopsy studies have provided the foundation of our knowledge of clinical medicine. Despite the acknowledged value of this postmortem procedure, hospital autopsy rates have fallen to only 10% of deaths. New diseases and therapeutic modalities are in danger of not being properly evaluated. A number of proposals have been made to increase autopsy rates. While many of these proposals are excellent, the key to increasing autopsy rates is direct reimbursement by third-party payers.

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