Quality in paediatric anaesthesia: a pilot study of interdepartmental peer review

Abstract

A pilot to assess a process of interdepartmental peer review of paediatric anaesthetic departments in the United Kingdom was undertaken. Departments were assessed in relation to the standards which should characterise anaesthetic departments throughout the country. Examples of good practice and areas for further development were identified. Peer review visits were conducted by teams which included medical and non-medical members. The importance of the inclusion of lay people in such visits is being increasingly recognised. All of those who participated in the process felt their time had been usefully spent, and they were enthusiastic for the process to continue.