Systemic predictors of adverse events in a national surgical mortality audit: analysis of peer-review data from Australia and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality.

Background: Peer review of surgical deaths can identify deficits in individual and systemic delivery of healthcare, ultimately informing quality improvement.

Methods: From 2008 to 2016, cases reported to the Australia and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality were analysed. Variables associated with peer-judged adverse events were sought.