Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

When calculating the net autopsy rate, what should be subtracted?

1. Deaths occurring over 48 hours

2. Deaths occurring under 48 hours

3. Postoperative deaths

4. Unautopsied coroner's or medical examiner's cases

The correct answer is: Unautopsied coroner's or medical examiner's cases

When calculating the net autopsy rate, it is essential to subtract the cases that have not been autopsied, specifically those classified under coroner's or medical examiner's jurisdiction. This is because the net autopsy rate reflects the proportion of deaths that have undergone autopsy in relation to the total number of deaths that could potentially be autopsied. Coroner's or medical examiner's cases often involve deaths that are investigated through forensic means and may not necessarily undergo a traditional autopsy process, as they could be deemed unnecessary due to the nature of the investigation or other circumstances. By subtracting these cases from the total number of deaths, the calculation focuses on the autopsies performed on cases where an autopsy was applicable. This approach allows for a more accurate representation of the rate of autopsies performed relative to the cases that warrant them, thus providing better insight into the practices and efficacy of autopsy processes within the healthcare system.