[Is autopsy, the oldest tool of quality assurance, obsolete?]

The declining frequency of autopsies raises the question as to whether the goals of autopsy (particularly with respect to quality management) can still be achieved in a way that guarantees high standards. The quality of diagnostic procedures (and probably therapeutic as well) depends on the frequency of autopsies in a hospital. The reasons for declining autopsy rates are manifold. Considering the indisputable importance of autopsies, the question as to the reasons for the decrease and possible solutions of this problem should be discussed. The clear aim should be to raise the frequency of hospital autopsies to 30-40%, a figure considered to enable a valuable quality control. Own studies have shown that a highly-efficient collaboration not only supports a rapid communication of the findings, but also leads to an improvement of the autopsy quality and, due to a better practice-related outcome, to a better acceptance from the side of clinicians and pathologists. This results in turn in increased autopsy rates. By these methods of cooperation, a well-accepted quality management should be achieved and should be in the interest of patients, physicians, hospital managers, and health insurances.