Scottish postoperative care is improving

The number of cases in Scotland where poor care contributed to or caused the death of a surgical patient is continuing to fall, according to the latest report of the Scottish audit of surgical mortality.

Issues of concern that played a part in the patient's death were identified in 7.6% of the 4049 audited deaths in 2001, compared with 10.1% in 2000 and 9.9% in 1999. The most common problems were delays in operating, inadequate preoperative assessment, unsatisfactory medical management, and delays …