Unexpected deaths after endocrine surgery: learning from rare events using a national audit of surgical mortality.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The mortality rate is low in endocrine surgery, making it a difficult outcome to use for quality improvement in individual units. Lessons from population data sets are of value in improving outcomes. Data from the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM) were used here to understand and elucidate potential systems issues that may contribute to preventable deaths.

Methods

ANZASM data relating to 30-day mortality after thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, and adrenalectomy from 2009 to 2020 were reviewed. Mortality rates were calculated using billing data. Thematic analysis of independent assessor reports was conducted to produce a coding framework.

Results

A total of 67 deaths were reported, with an estimated mortality rate of 0.03-0.07 p

SUBMITTER: Chui JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10364700 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature