Table 6

Reasons why necropsies were not requested by clinicians

Clinical service
ReasonInternal medicineSurgeryChild healthA&EOncologyICUTotal N (%)
A&E, accident and emergency; ICU, intensive care unit; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus.
Confident clinical diagnosis140007223 (33.8)
Radiological/lab investigations160000016 (23.5)
Terminal illness31108013 (19.1)
HIV positivity5020007 (10.3)
Refused by relatives1030015 (7.4)
No further information to be gained1000012 (2.9)
Chronic illness0001001 (1.5)
Patient too old1000001 (1.5)
Total number (%)41 (60.3)1 (1.5)6 (8.8)1 (1.5)15 (22.1)4 (5.9)68 (100)