Non‐technical errors associated with deaths in surgical care, Australia, 2012–2019, by surgical specialty (Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality): a retrospective cohort study
At least 50% of surgical care-related deaths in five surgical specialties were associated with non-technical errors, and the proportions did not substantially change during 2012-2019. Differences between specialties in the frequency of fatal non-technical error suggest that targeted improvement strategies are needed, but the persistently high frequency for all specialties indicates that systemwide improvement is crucial.
Authors
- Octavia Lee
- Martin Bruening
- Suzanne Edwards (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2074-1685)
- Ellie Treloar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4840-8967)
- Adam J. Wells (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4373-347X)
- Jesse D. Ey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8266-6986)
- Kun Mean Hou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6117-0669)
- Guy J. Maddern (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2064-181X)
- Victoria Kollias (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4663-4853)
- Matheesha Herath (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2756-5864)
- John B North (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3540-8677)
Institutions
- Royal Adelaide Hospital (AU)
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital (AU)
- Princess Alexandra Hospital (GB)
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital (BB)
- The University of Adelaide (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Medical Journal of Australia
- Published
- 2025-09-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70055
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Cardiac, Anesthesia and Surgical Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.16
Funders
- University of Adelaide
- Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research