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  1. HOME
  2. Research & Audit
  3. Surgical mortality audits
  4. Regional audits
  5. Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM)
  6. FAQs

FAQs

On this page

  • Do I have to participate in VASM?
  • What are the inclusion criteria?
  • Do I have to be a first or second-line assessor?
  • Are any instructions/guidelines provided to those who volunteer to be first or second-line assessors?
  • Is the VASM process confidential?
  • How will VASM know if a patient has died under my care?
  • What if I require the medical case notes to fill out VASM case record form, is there an easy way for me to retrieve them?
  • How do I submit the VASM case record form?
  • Who do I contact if I have any queries?

Do I have to participate in VASM?

Your participation in VASM is a requirement if you are a surgeon in an operative based practice, have a surgical death and an audit of surgical mortality is available in your hospital. Complete and submit your participation form to the audit office.

What are the inclusion criteria?

VASM audits all mortalities where a surgeon was responsible for, or had significant involvement in, the care of a patient. This includes patients who were:

  • admitted under the care of a surgeon or gynaecologist, regardless of whether an operation occurred, or
  • admitted under the care of another unit, but an operation was performed by a surgeon or gynaecologist.

Do I have to be a first or second-line assessor?

No, all surgeons participating in the audit can volunteer to be either first or second-line assessors. To become an assessor, complete and submit an assessor form to the audit office.

Are any instructions/guidelines provided to those who volunteer to be first or second-line assessors?

Yes, a Guideline for Assessors (PDF 13.26MB) document has been produced to provide guidelines for assessors. 

Is the VASM process confidential?

Yes, the VASM process is covered by the Commonwealth Qualified Privilege agreement. All data is securely stored at VASM.

How will VASM know if a patient has died under my care?

VASM will be notified by the hospital's medical records department or the Coroner's Office. Alternatively, surgeons may notify VASM directly of a death of a patient under their care via Fellows Interface.

What if I require the medical case notes to fill out VASM case record form, is there an easy way for me to retrieve them?

Yes, the medical records can be retrieved by contacting the medical records department at the relevant hospital.

How do I submit the VASM case record form?

Data is submitted to VASM via the Fellows Interface portal. Please contact our office if you need help setting up a profile.

Who do I contact if I have any queries?

Please contact the VASM Project Manager.

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