Chair’s Report

This latest copy of the National Case Note Review Booklet provides information on mortality for the relatively small specialties of Paediatric Surgery, ENT, Plastic Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery. These specialties, although conducting a substantial amount of surgery, fortunately have few cases that lead to surgical mortality. Nonetheless, the lessons that can be learnt from these specialties are considerable and are well documented in this edition of the booklet. The lessons are very similar to those learnt from the groups contributing far more surgical mortality, such as Vascular Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery. Sometimes the deaths in the smaller mortality specialties are treated as exceptional and perhaps the opportunity to draw important lessons are lost. This particular case note review collection certainly highlights that the problems and improvements remain similar for all surgical specialties. Hopefully the experiences highlighted will be of use to all surgeons and groups having to assess patients prior to surgery, manage the surgical intervention and, most importantly, the postoperative care decision-making. As we see repeatedly, strong consultant involvement and communication leads to better outcomes for our patients and certainly needs to be emphasised and maintained, whether in the public or private system. Constructive feedback is always welcome and responded to.

Guy Maddern

Chair, ANZASM Steering Committee