Objective: The aim of the study was to audit all admissions for significant adverse events as well as to assess academic and research activities of our department during last two years. Design: A descriptive audit comprising of surgical, academic and research aspects. Place and Duration: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from June 2002 to June 2004. 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. Results: Analysis of surgical audit showed 2160 procedures. Tube thoracostomy was required in 1030 patients while elective procedures were 1130. Elective thoracic procedures were 969 (85.5%) while elective cardiac procedures were 161 (14.2%). Various procedures performed included, decortication 103 (9.1%), esophagectomy 73 (6.46%), Hydatid cystectomy 38 (3.36%), closed mitral volvotomy 51 (4.5%), PDA ligation 46 (4.07%), pericardectomy 17 (1.5%), lobectomy 59(5.22%), pneumonectomy 11 (0.97%), thoracoplasty 21 (1.85%), while other thoracic and cardiac procedures were 13.3% and 5.6% respectively. Overall mortality was 3% while morbidity was 3.4%. During this period our department had 17 publications; presented 22 papers in various conferences; has produced three fellows in thoracic surgery, one fellow in general surgery and conducted ?First National Thoracic Surgery Course?. One assistant professor and one senior registrar have been appointed during these two years. 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 be achieved through surgical audit. It is high time that this becomes a part of our ward routine and teaching programmes.
展开▼
