title: Putting the heat back into radiology morbidity and mortality conferences.
abstract: Morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences run the gamut from heated adversarial affairs seen in traditional surgery departments, to more passive versions often seen in radiology departments. If done well, not only can M&M conferences have great utility as a resident training tool, but they also can be a vehicle for quality improvement and allow a first impression for how a complication might be perceived in court. The legislature and courts have deemed candid peer review so essential that such proceedings have been provided with a qualified privilege. To maximize the benefit of M&M conferences, an emphasis on accountability and robust debate, preconference preparation, broader faculty attendance, and an understanding of the ground rules are necessary. M&M conferences also should be solution oriented, and practice quality improvements and teaching modules should regularly be generated from such conferences. An example of a potential revised M&M conference is outlined.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. jmezrich@umm.edu
authors: Jonathan L
authors: JL
authors: Mezrich
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010380:Peer Review; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*