title: Quality assurance programme for necropsies.
abstract: One hundred and eight consecutive necropsies were entered into a quality assessment of the necropsy service in this hospital using a previously published American protocol. Our results were similar to those of the American series, with confirmation of the major clinical diagnosis in 75%, but a higher rate of unsuspected diagnosis (44%). Necropsy was helpful in 58% of cases. The presentation of selected cases at a monthly conference on causes of death was valuable in correlating clinical and pathological findings, and in helping integrate both services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, St Jame's Hospital, Dublin, Eire.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Hourihane
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy / Q000592:standards*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010337:Pathology Department, Hospital; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care