RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Introduction of postmortem CT increases the postmortem examination rate without negatively impacting the rate of traditional autopsy in daily practice: an implementation study
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 177
OP 181
DO 10.1136/jclinpath-2020-206734
VO 74
IS 3
A1 Max G Mentink
A1 Frans C H Bakers
A1 Casper Mihl
A1 Max J Lahaye
A1 Roger J M W Rennenberg
A1 Bart G H Latten
A1 Bela Kubat
A1 Paul A M Hofman
YR 2021
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/74/3/177.abstract
AB Aim The aim of this implementation study was to assess the effect of postmortem CT (PMCT) and postmortem sampling (PMS) on (traditional) autopsy and postmortem examination rates. Additionally, the feasibility of PMCT and PMS in daily practice was assessed.Methods For a period of 23 months, PMCT and PMS were used as additional modalities to the autopsy at the Department of Internal Medicine. The next of kin provided consent for 123 postmortem examinations. Autopsy rates were derived from the Dutch Pathology Registry, and postmortem examination rates were calculated for the period before, during and after the study period, and the exclusion rate, table time, time interval to informing the referring clinicians with results and the time interval to the Multidisciplinary Mortality Review Board (MMRB) meeting were objectified to assess the feasibility.Results The postmortem examination rate increased (from 18.8% to 32.5%, p<0.001) without a decline in the autopsy rate. The autopsy rate did not change substantially after implementation (0.2% decrease). The exclusion rate was 2%, the table time was 23 min, and a median time interval of 4.1 hours between PMCT and discussing its results with the referring clinicians was observed. Additionally, more than 80% of the MMRB meetings were held within 8 weeks after the death of the patient.Conclusions Our study shows that the implementation of a multidisciplinary postmortem examination is feasible in daily practice and does not adversely affect the autopsy rate, while increasing the postmortem examination rate.