title: Resuscitating the autopsy in Australian hospitals.
abstract: Previous studies have consistently shown that autopsy examination after surgery can identify a significant rate of discrepant and/or erroneous diagnoses. Findings gleaned from autopsies can be invaluable for the medical community and science as a whole, ultimately leading to improvements in quality surgical care. Despite the proven benefits of this underused tool, the number of autopsies carried out in Australian hospitals is declining dramatically, with autopsy rates plummeting from 21% in 1992-1993 to 12% in 2002-2003. This notable decline ought to be a genuine source of concern and deserves further examination. This review seeks to address the reasons for decline, while reasserting the value and relevance of autopsies within modern surgical practice Down Under.
authors: Department of Surgery and Department of Forensic Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors: V Swetha
authors: VS
authors: Jeganathan
authors: Stuart R
authors: SR
authors: Walker
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Lawrence