A robust clinical review process: the catalyst for clinical governance in an Australian tertiary hospital.

Objective: To determine if a robust clinical review process can influence an organisation's response to adverse patient outcomes.

Design And Setting: Retrospective analysis of the activity and outputs of the Clinical Review Committee (CRC) of a university-affiliated tertiary hospital from 1 September 2002 to 30 June 2006.

Main Outcome Measures: Engagement of clinicians (number on CRC, number interviewed for the clinical review process, number of specific referrals from clinicians); and numbers of cases reviewed, system issues identified, recommendations made to the hospital board, and ensuing actions.