Prospective review of 30-day morbidity and mortality in a paediatric neurosurgical unit

Campbell, E., Beez, T. and Todd, L. (2017) Prospective review of 30-day morbidity and mortality in a paediatric neurosurgical unit. Child's Nervous System, 33(3), pp. 483-489. (doi: 10.1007/s00381-017-3358-5) (PMID:28247111)

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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to record the 30-day and inpatient morbidity and mortality in paediatric patients in a tertiary neuroscience centre over a 2-year period. The intentions were to establish the frequency of significant adverse events, review the current published rates of morbidity in paediatric neurosurgical patients and propose three clinical indicators for future comparison. Methods: All deaths and adverse events were prospectively recorded from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015. Each adverse event was categorised, allocated a clinical impact severity score and linked to a neurosurgical procedure wherever possible. Where a patient suffered several adverse events in the same admission, each event was recorded separately. If a patient had been discharged home, an adverse event was recorded if it occurred within 30 days of admission. Results: Five hundred forty-nine procedures were performed in 287 patients (aged <16 years). One hundred thirty significant adverse events were identified. The following are the three clinical indicators: significant adverse event rate: 111 (20.2%) operations were linked to at least one significant adverse event; unscheduled return to theatre rate: 81 (14.8%) operations were associated with an adverse event that resulted in an unscheduled return to theatre; and surgical site infection rate: 29 (5.3%) operations were associated with an infection. Conclusion: Complications and adverse events are common in paediatric neurosurgery. Prospective, continuous surveillance will promote both quality assurance and quality improvement in the neurosurgical care delivered to patients.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Campbell, Miss Emer
Authors: Campbell, E., Beez, T., and Todd, L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Child's Nervous System
Publisher:Springer Verlag
ISSN:0256-7040
ISSN (Online):1433-0350
Published Online:28 February 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Child's Nervous System 33(3): 483-489
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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