10 May 2007
Patient death audit system a worthy investment for Govt
The Green Party is urging the Government to fund a proposal by surgeons which could save hundreds of lives by reducing
fatal errors in the operating theatre.
The Royal College of Surgeons wants funding to set up national audits of its operating systems, including a national
database of surgical deaths. Each death would be considered by a committee of independent surgeons.
"We strongly support this initiative, and any other proposal that will help reduce the high rate of death and disability
caused by hospital error," Ms Kedgley says.
"Establishing the database will cost only $500,000 a year - that is cheap at the price if it results in a reduction in
the high number of patient deaths."
Ms Kedgley pointed out that adverse events are costing an estimated $870 million a year.
"Getting a team of independent experts to review each case in which there is a patient death, is precisely the sort of
approach that is needed to reduce preventable deaths and other adverse events occurring in New Zealand.
"The aim is not to shame and blame, but rather to help surgical teams identify what changes could be made in operating
procedures to avoid future deaths.
"We would also like to see a national database and a review by independent experts set up to try to reduce non-surgical
deaths in hospitals and other adverse events," Ms Kedgley says.
ENDS