The autopsy. The ultimate audit.

Four hundred twenty-eight autopsy cases were reviewed at a departmental conference over a 4 1/2-year period. All diagnostic test data were discussed before the results of the autopsies were known, and the participants tried to extract the maximum diagnostic information from the clinical findings and the test data. Fifty-two percent of the autopsy cases failed to provide any additional major insight; premortem clinical and laboratory findings were sufficient for diagnosis. In the remaining 48%, however, the autopsies contributed to the improvement of medical care.