One department's experience with increasing the autopsy rate.

A strategy to increase the autopsy percentage at a university hospital included improving communications with the attending and resident staffs, promptly issuing initial diagnoses, and forwarding appropriate findings to a committee for potential revision of patient care practices. New autopsy permit forms included a list of all physicians interested in the case and a request that the next of kin could make for a summary of findings. These requests were subsequently filled by a summary letter from the pathologist to the family with a copy sent to the attending physician. In order to dispel certain misconceptions and improve attitudes among hospital personnel, a videotape emphasizing the purpose and potential value of the autopsy was made for viewing by nurses, social workers, clergy, and hospital administrators.