Authors' recommendations: The national review panel concluded that all responses had provided evidence that i) the surgical profile had been reviewed, ii) areas where data appeared to differ markedly from the national average had been considered, and iii) plans to follow up any issues highlighted by the profile had been made.In addition, the responses from two NHS Boards (NHS Lothian and NHS Shetland) were considered to describe good practice in using data to facilitate improvements to clinical services (see page 13). None of the 14 responses received were assessed as being unsatisfactory.The review panel’s interpretation of NHS Boards’ responses collectively was that this stage of the surgical profiles project has made a valuable contribution to the overall aim of leading to more effective and consistent use of the nationally consistent data currently available.Furthermore, the panel recognised that NHS Boards’ responses provided important insights which should be used to inform the work to be carried out on this and related projects in he future. Some of the issues raised by NHS Boards are discussed next.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/files/Report_UsingSurgicalProfiles_Sept07.pdf

Year Published: 2007

URL for published report: http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/controller?p_service=Content.show&p_applic=CCC&pContentID=3638

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Scotland

Organisation Name: Quality Improvement Scotland

Contact Address: Delta House, 50 West Nile Street Glasgow G1 2NP Scotland United Kingdom Tel: +44 141 225 6988; Fax: +44 141 221 3262

Contact Name: shtg.hcis@nhs.net

Contact Email: shtg.hcis@nhs.net

Copyright: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS)