The audit process

TASM is a peer-review process. Participation by consultant surgeons is a requirement of the College's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program.

To start: TASM is notified by the hospital of all deaths that occurred during a surgical admission or where there is deemed to be the possibility of an anaesthetic related component to the death.

Next: TASM sends a surgical case form (PDF 253.47KB) to the treating surgeon or anaesthetist linked to the case.

A surgical case form or anaesthetic data collection form is:

1. completed by the consultant surgeon, anaesthetist or their registrar (under supervision)
2. returned to TASM in the reply paid envelope (as soon as possible)
3. de-identified and sent to a first-line assessor (a consultant surgeon or anaesthetist; same speciality, different hospital) for anonymous peer-review.

If a second-line assessment (case note review) is not requested by the first-line assessor, the original surgeon or anaesthetist will be sent written feedback at this point (and the case will be closed).

If a second-line assessment (case note review) is requested by the first-line assessor (that is, the case needs further investigation or insufficient information has been provided on the surgical case form (PDF 253.47KB) then these steps are followed:

1. an appropriate second-line assessor is selected;
2. medical records are requested by TASM project staff;
3. the second-line assessor then reviews the Surgical Case Form or Anaesthetic data form, the patient's medical records; and the first-line assessor's comment, before writing a one-page report;
   Note: The review is carried out and the report written in a spirit of sympathetic enquiry, providing sufficient details for a clear view of events;
4. the report and relevant feedback is sent to the original surgeon or anaesthetist. The case is then closed, and
5. at each stage of the process the original surgeon has right of reply.