Autopsies

Question 1

two types of autopsies

Answer 1

rokitansky- full autopsy where entire organ block is removed intact

virchow- each organ system is removed individually. partial removal

Question 2

functions of autopsies

Answer 2

-determining cause of death
-monitoring accuracy of diagnoses
-evaluation of treatment
education
-medical legal
-institutional QA
-genetic counseling
-closure for loved ones
-recovery of prosthetics

Question 3

different classes of autopsy/clinical disagreement

Answer 3

major
class 1- principal diagnosis definitely affecting clinical outcome
class 2 principal diagnosis possibly affecting clinical outcome

minor- 3 classes of smaller, less significant disagreements

Question 4

rate of major disagreements

Answer 4

25-30%

Question 5

why is the autopsy in decline?

Answer 5

diminishing clinical interest/confidence in ante-mortem diagnosis

diminishing interest by pathologist

public resistance

inability to affect clinical outcomes