Autopsy: cutting away the myths.
Autopsy serves to monitor quality of care, determines means of death in puzzling medical situations and medicolegal cases, documents true disease rates and provides other essential data for registries and research. This article discusses the current status of autopsy, reasons for the declining rate, and myths commonly held by patients and their families. The neuroscience nurse can clarify misperceptions, provide accurate and timely information in a sensitive and articulate manner, and support patients and their families in their decisions about autopsy.
Souder
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University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Nursing, Little Rock 72205.
Trojanowski
J Q
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D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009488:Neurosciences; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013240:Stereotyping