Closing the audit circle: effect of continuing audit on arthroscopic practice
Birch, N.C.; Powles, D.P.; Dorrell, J.H.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 75(6): 422-425
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8843 PMID: 8285544 Document Number: 420849
A prospective study in a single orthopaedic unit for one calendar year was carried out to examine the effect of continuing audit on arthroscopic practice. A standard proforma was introduced to record information and results were analysed using a system of audit codes. Two audit periods were examined, the first 3 months and the subsequent 9 months. Results after audit of the first period were compared with the second period; diagnostic accuracy and clarity had improved as had the accuracy of audit coding. The subset of patients with a preoperative diagnosis of a meniscal tear was analysed and the diagnostic accuracy for this group improved over the year. We found that the Audit Circle had been closed in the areas of diagnostic clarity, diagnostic accuracy of meniscal tears and the accuracy of audit coding.