Autopsy Flashcards

1
Q

Define medical autopsy.

A
  • in hospital
  • need consent from next of kin
  • components: external exam, organ exam, histological exam, pathological correlation
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2
Q

Summarize reasons for the decline in number of medical autopsies performed.

A

CLINICIANS

  • declines in requests
  • more confident diagnostic techniques
  • discomfort with requesting from grieving families
  • culture of medicine that does not dwell on failures
  • fear of malpractice
  • more patients dying outside of hospital

FAMILY

  • not informed
  • fear of charge ($)
  • delays in funeral
  • worried about disfigurement

PATHOLOGISTS

  • increased demands
  • dominated by surgical specimens
  • greater focus on research
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3
Q

Summarize benefits of medical autopsies in physicians/medical community, families, and the public.

A

CLINICIANS

  • establish final diagnoses
  • evaluate accuracy of treatment
  • determine cause of death
  • quality assurance

FAMILIES

  • identification of hereditary and congenital diseases
  • put mind at ease if they feel at fault
  • accurate data for worker’s comp
  • contribute to medical advancement

PUBLIC
- health surveillance

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