Limited adverse occurrence screening. A medical quality control system for medium sized hospitals.

Objective: To determine whether adverse occurrence screening of inpatient discharge summaries by means of a limited number of criteria can provide an effective medical quality control system without requiring substantial additional resources.

Design: The medical records department used 14 criteria to screen all inpatient discharge summaries shortly after discharge. Summaries that met particular criteria were sent for medical review. If an adverse patient event was found, appropriate action was determined by a committee of four doctors.

Setting: 200 bed base hospital in country Victoria.

Patients: All inpatients discharged over a two year period.

Main Outcome Measures: The incidence of negative patient outcomes and the cost of resources required to conduct the program.

Results: A reduction in the incidence of some negative patient outcomes was achieved and the nature of postgraduate education meetings was changed. Minimal additional resources were required to run the program.

Conclusion: Limited adverse occurrence screening has provided a simple, inexpensive and effective medical quality control system in a medium-sized hospital.