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Laparoscopy in gynaecology and surgery: Practice review using audit of errors for improving safetyThe Laparoscopy Audit Project commenced in July 2006 and concluded in April 2007. Safeguarding information and practitioners
OverviewThis project has been funded by the Support Scheme for Rural Specialists, an initiative of the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Audit has had a long standing record in obstetrics and gynaecology, general surgery and anaesthesia. Much of this has been achieved by specialists working at their local level in isolation, sometimes with the help of their hospital and sometimes through their own efforts at data collection. This project was championed by the RANZCOG Provincial Fellows Committee through their experience working in rural practice where Fellows may encounter difficulties in completing audit and discussing outcomes in a collegial, supportive environment. A retrospective claims study carried out by RANZCOG and United Medical Protection identified a significant number of claims related to laparoscopy.While some of these issues may go unnoticed and not affect patients, some will potentially result in suffering for patients and require further surgery or treatment. By designing a laparoscopy audit framework for use amongst rural and remote Australian anaesthetists, gynaecologists and general surgeons, this project successfully met its aims, which were to:
Key stages of the project included:
Who was involvedThis project was managed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in collaboration with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. The Steering Committee for this project comprised of: Professor Ian Pettigrew (Chair) The project has been overwhelmingly supported by over 260 rural gynaecologists, general surgeons and anaesthetists who participated in videoconferences and data collection.
CPD points for participantsParticipation in this project has been accredited for the following points: RANZCOG:
ANZCA:
RACS:
Safeguarding information and practitionersThis project is protected under the Commonwealth Qualified Privilege Scheme. This encourages health professionals to undertake efficient quality assurance activities in connection with the provision of certain health services. The Scheme has been designed to provide important safeguards by protecting certain information from disclosure and protecting persons involved in the activity from civil liability. The Commonwealth Qualified Privilege Scheme under Part VC of the Health Insurance Act 1973 is designed to remove these fears and encourage health care professionals to participate in quality assurance activities by providing:
Ongoing availabilityThe project is currently exploring the ongoing availability of the audit tool developed for this activity. Please contact the project if you are interested in accessing the audit tool or participating in an ongoing audit.
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