title: Developing a system for surgical audit.
abstract: A system for surgical audit, which has been developed during a 6 year period in an active surgical unit of a teaching hospital, is described. Following a review of the first 3 years of our computerized audit, major modifications to the audit processes and computer program were made. The key lessons for systematic practical surgical audit include the collection of essential data only, establishing audit processes within current department practices, verification of data by consultants, and the provision of incentives for all users. The current system is proving a valuable resource for quality assurance, surgical training and departmental management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pettigrew
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Rij
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems; D016208:Databases, Factual; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D008499:Medical Records; D009026:Mortality; D009042:Motivation; D009870:Operating Room Information Systems; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection