function calculateAdjustedRate() {
// 1. Get DOM elements
var totalDeathsInput = document.getElementById('totalDeaths');
var releasedBodiesInput = document.getElementById('releasedBodies');
var hospitalAutopsiesInput = document.getElementById('hospitalAutopsies');
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var rateResult = document.getElementById('rateResult');
var breakdown = document.getElementById('calculationBreakdown');
var errorMsg = document.getElementById('errorMsg');
// 2. Parse values
var deaths = parseFloat(totalDeathsInput.value);
var released = parseFloat(releasedBodiesInput.value);
var autopsies = parseFloat(hospitalAutopsiesInput.value);
// 3. Reset state
errorMsg.style.display = 'none';
resultBox.style.display = 'none';
// 4. Validation Logic
if (isNaN(deaths) || isNaN(released) || isNaN(autopsies)) {
errorMsg.innerText = "Please enter valid numeric values for all fields.";
errorMsg.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (deaths < 0 || released < 0 || autopsies deaths) {
errorMsg.innerText = "Bodies released to the coroner cannot exceed total deaths.";
errorMsg.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
var netDeaths = deaths – released;
if (netDeaths === 0) {
errorMsg.innerText = "Net deaths available for autopsy is zero. Cannot divide by zero.";
errorMsg.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (autopsies > netDeaths) {
errorMsg.innerText = "Number of autopsies cannot exceed the number of available bodies (Total Deaths – Released).";
errorMsg.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// 5. Calculation Logic
// Formula: (Hospital Autopsies / (Total Deaths – Released to Coroner)) * 100
var rate = (autopsies / netDeaths) * 100;
// 6. Display Results
rateResult.innerText = rate.toFixed(2) + "%";
breakdown.innerHTML =
"Analysis:" +
"Total Deaths: " + deaths + "" +
"Less Coroner Cases: -" + released + "" +
"Net Deaths (Denominator): " + netDeaths + "" +
"Hospital Autopsies (Numerator): " + autopsies;
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
}
Understanding the Adjusted Hospital Autopsy Rate
The Adjusted Hospital Autopsy Rate is a critical healthcare statistic used to evaluate the proportion of hospital deaths that undergo an autopsy, specifically accounting for bodies that are not available to the hospital for examination. Unlike the "Gross Autopsy Rate," which considers all deaths, the adjusted rate offers a more accurate reflection of the hospital's efforts to secure consents for autopsies on bodies actually under their jurisdiction.
The Formula
In health information management (HIM) and hospital statistics, the formula excludes bodies released to the Medical Examiner or Coroner because the hospital does not have the legal authority to perform autopsies on these cases unless jurisdiction is returned.
Adjusted Rate = ( Total Hospital Autopsies / ( Total Deaths – Bodies Released to Coroner ) ) × 100
Input Definitions
Total Inpatient Deaths: The total number of patients who died while admitted to the hospital during the specific time period (e.g., month, quarter, year).
Bodies Released to Medical Examiner/Coroner: The number of deaths where jurisdiction was assumed by the coroner or medical examiner. These bodies are removed from the hospital premises and are not available for a hospital-conducted autopsy.
Hospital Autopsies Performed: The number of autopsies performed by the hospital pathologist on inpatients who died during the period.
Why is this rate important?
Autopsy rates are traditionally used as a measure of quality assurance in hospitals. They provide valuable feedback to physicians regarding diagnostic accuracy and the effectiveness of treatments.
The Adjusted Rate is often preferred over the Gross Rate for internal performance metrics because it does not penalize the facility for deaths where they legally could not perform an autopsy (such as cases involving foul play, suicide, or unknown causes of death that require forensic investigation).
Example Calculation
Consider a hospital with the following statistics for the month of November:
Total Inpatient Deaths: 45
Deaths Released to Coroner: 5
Hospital Autopsies Performed: 8
Step 1: Calculate the denominator (Net Deaths).
45 (Total) – 5 (Coroner) = 40 Net Deaths available.
Step 2: Divide autopsies by net deaths.
8 / 40 = 0.20
Step 3: Convert to percentage.
0.20 × 100 = 20.00%
This calculator allows health information managers, medical staff coordinators, and students to quickly determine this rate without manual errors, ensuring accurate reporting for hospital accreditation and quality improvement committees.