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. 2022 Jun 24:80:103987.
doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103987. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Evaluation of the implementation of a quality improvement program through morbidity and mortality reviews in a developing country

Oumayma Lahnaoui  1   2 , Amine Souadka  1   2 , Brahim El Ahmadi  3 , Abdelilah Ghannam  3 , Zakaria Belkhadir  3 , Laila Amrani  1   2 , Amine Benkabbou  1   2 , Raouf Mohsine  1   2 , Mohammed Anass Majbar  1   2
Affiliations

Evaluation of the implementation of a quality improvement program through morbidity and mortality reviews in a developing country

Oumayma Lahnaoui et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

Background: Morbidity and mortality reviews represent an opportunity to discuss adverse events and healthcare issues. Aim: Report the first experience of implementing a procedure of MMR, and assess its impact on quality improvement.

Methods: From July 2019 to December 2019, members of the surgical and ICU departments designed and implemented a regular procedure of MMR. Cases of severe postoperative complications after curative resection for digestive cancer were selected to be presented by a surgical resident and discussed in an interdisciplinary conference following a standardized presentation based on an analysis tool adapted from the ALARM framework. Process was assessed by the number of MMRs held, number and type of recommendations issued and implemented.

Results: Among 13 serious complications during the study period, 10 were discussed. The "Tasks" category was activated in 90% of the cases where lack or misuse of protocols was identified in 90% of the events discussed. Test results availability or accuracy were incarnated in 30% of cases. Poor communication was a contributing factor in 60% of the cases. Written medical records were defective in 40% of the cases. From 16 recommendations for improvement emitted, 87.5% (14/16) were translated into projects and successfully implemented.

Conclusions: a standardized and regular procedure of morbidity and mortality reviews in a tertiary care facility in a developing country allowed a significant improvement in patient care through quality initiatives implementation. MMRs might be a strong tool for the improvement of surgical care particularly for low-mid income countries.

Keywords: Implementation; MMR, Morbidity and mortality reviews; Morbidity mortality reviews; Patient safety; QI, Quality improvement; Quality improvement.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

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