[Evaluation of the clinical utility of autopsy: an investigation at the Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study of autopsies performed in our institute was to investigate whether clinical requirements had been met and specific clinical questions answered.


METHODS
With each autopsy report, a questionnaire was sent to the clinic where the patient had died. The clinicians evaluated how often additional diagnoses were made and whether these were clinically relevant.


RESULTS
Seventy-two percent of all autopsies resulted in further diagnoses. Clinicians estimated that these could have influenced their clinical management in 36% of cases. Weaknesses in interdisciplinary cooperation were uncovered and solved.


CONCLUSIONS
The great benefit of the autopsies conducted in our institute was demonstrated. The results emphasise once again the importance of autopsy for quality assurance in clinical medicine.
Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 26, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.
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D000047:Academies and Institutes; D001344:Autopsy / Q000592:standards; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Evaluation des klinischen Nutzens der Obduktion: Eine Untersuchung am Institut für Pathologie des Universitätsklinikums Leipzig.