The pathologist and the geriatric autopsy.
In the past forty years the autopsy rate in many large institutions has fallen drastically to a level of only 20-25 per cent. The large number of diagnostic errors revealed in autopsy records is in itself a cogent reason for a return to higher standards. The inhibitory effect of high cost would be modified by the use of central regional pathology services and by reimbursement from third-party insurance carriers. The end-result would be a higher quality of medical care for all patients, not excepting those in the geriatric age group.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007350:Insurance, Hospitalization; D010336:Pathology; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce