A therapeutic audit at autopsy

A survey of one hundred patients submitted to autopsy has been carried out to assess the contribution of investigational procedures, surgery and drug therapy to death. In nineteen patients drug therapy, usually appropriate and necessary therapy, was thought to have contributed to death. In five patients failure to continue therapy properly contributed to death. The survey was not representative either of patients dying in hospital or in the community, but it suggests that a larger and more comprehensive survey should be undertaken.