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Figure 2: Matched mortality: VASM data compared with VAED data
This graph shows a comparison of data collected between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015 on 1,681 deaths reported to
VASM.
VAED: Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset; VASM: Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality.
Audit period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2015.
Comments:
•
The match for the surgical mortality data reached 85.5%, with 1,681 VASM-reported deaths compared with 1,966
VAED surgical deaths.
•
There were 5.6% (347/6,179) VASM cases from private hospitals (data not shown).
•
The rapid rise in the percentage of VASM reported deaths is accounted for by the increased participation of private
hospitals to 100% in 2012. In 2014 there was a slight decrease in the match of VASM and VAED data, as some
hospitals experienced difficulties in reporting mortalities to VASM in a timely manner due to upgrades in their
electronic health information systems.
Audit participation rates
6.3.
To comply with the audit process surgeons must not only agree to participate, but to also return completed SCFs and
assessment forms in a timely, accurate and complete manner. Thus there is a difference between participation and
compliance. The hospitals in which they work must provide notifications of death on a regular basis, as this is the main
trigger for the audit process to begin.
All Victorian public and private hospitals providing relevant surgical services are participating and providing
notifications of death. At the audit’s inception in 2007, public hospital participation stood at 31.0%. Total public hospital
participation (100%) was achieved in 2010. Similarly, in 2010 when private hospital participation commenced, private
participation was 43.2%. Total private hospital participation (100%) was reached in 2012.
The RACS Council has delivered strong support to ANZASM, with participation by surgeons in their state mortality
audit a compulsory component of the CPD program since January 2010. The RACS CPD program currently conducts
a verification process on 7% of surgeons for their claimed CPD activities. Verification of a surgeon’s participation in
the mortality audit is anticipated to increase to 100% in the near future.
2007-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
VAED reported mortalities
10,851
1,997
1,924
1,966
VASM reported mortalities
5,516
1,516
1,550
1,681
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
Surgical mortality
50.8%
VASM vs VAED match
2007-2014
85.5%
VASM vs VAED match
2014-2015
Audit period