Purpose: It has been shown that large-scale epidemiological studies are an
unsatisfactory method of measuring quality of care in anesthesia. We perfor
med a mini-audit of the outpatient surgery unit at Vancouver General Hospit
al to determine whether such methodology would be helpful in assessing and
monitoring quality of care and in identifying areas where improvements coul
d be made.
Methods: After institutional approval, we conducted a prospective quality a
ssurance audit in a cohort of 462 consecutive outpatients. A measurement to
ol was developed using information from previous literature. Data recorded
included demographics, type of surgery and anesthesia, duration of stay in
the postanesthetic care unit (PACU) and any adverse events in the PACU, The
effect of ethnicity on the above was also examined.
Results: The demographics and practice profiles of our unit were comparable
to other units. The mean duration of stay in the PACU was 91 +/- 55.3 min
and is twice as long as other units. The incidence of hypotension, hypother
mia and excessive pain in the PACU were higher compared to other centres, T
he incidence of other adverse events was comparable to that reported by oth
er centres. O-2 supplementation was required more frequently in Caucasians
(23% vs 9%; P < 0.05) and postoperative bleeding occurred more frequently i
n Asiatics (46% vs 27%; P < 0.05).
Conclusion: A mini-audit was found to be helpful in assessing and monitorin
g quality of care and in identifying areas where improvements could be made
.