AUDIT OF ONE YEAR WORKLOAD OF THORACIC SURGICAL TEAM AT PESHAWAR

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to audit all admissions for significant adverse events as well as to assess academic and research activities of our department during 2006.Design: A descriptive audit comprising of surgical, academic and research aspects.Place and Duration: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital and Khyber Medical Center Peshawar from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2006.Materials and Methods: Data comprising of patients demographics, number and type of various surgical procedures, hospital stay, various complications and number of deaths that occurred were entered into database. A computerized record of all academic and research projects was kept. Data base analysis was carried out for determining morbidity and mortality. During this period our department had 09 publications; presented 29 papers in various conferences; had four trainee fellows in thoracic surgery.Results: Analysis of surgical audit showed 1440 procedures. Tube thoracostomy was required in 697patients while elective procedures were 743. Elective thoracic procedures were 651(87.61%) while elective cardiac procedures were 29(3.90%). Various procedures performed included, decortication 154 (20.72%), oesophagectomy 83(11.17%), Hydatid cystectomy 33 (4.44%), PDA ligation 18 (2.42%), pericardectomy 03 (.40%), lobectomy 34(4.57%), pneumonectomy 10 (1.34%), thoracoplasty 21(2.82%), while other thoracic and cardiacprocedures were 42.53% and 1.48% respectively. Overall 30days mortality was 3.63% while morbidity was 4.57%.Conclusion: Highest priority should be accorded to surgical audit to determine various risk factors for mortality and morbidity and ultimately to improve patient care. Moreover, all academic and research projects should be completed through mutual efforts of all teaching staff to achieve desired standards of teaching and learning Accountability of the medical profession can only beachieved through surgical audit. It is high time that this becomes a part of our ward routine and teaching programmes.