[Morbidity and mortality conferences in Lower Saxony: Implementation status and further development needs].

BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality conferences (M&MC) are a tool to foster individual and organizational learning in hospitals, and they are important to improve patient safety. So far, no data has been available about the implementation of M&MC in Lower Saxony and the characteristics of M&MCs. The aim of this study was to assess the status quo of M&MC in Lower Saxony and to identify the potential for improvement.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among chief physicians in surgery, internal medicine, anesthesiology/intensive care, gynecology/obstetrics and pediatrics (response rate: 50 %).

RESULTS: Apart from technical topics (37 %), the main issues addressed are process (92 %) and teamwork (64 %) issues. The results also show a strong heterogeneity in terms of structures and processes of implemented M&MC in Lower Saxony. Despite a high level of satisfaction (85 %) and perceived effectiveness (93 %), most participants see potential for improvement of "their" M&MC (58 %).

CONCLUSION: Chief physicians in Lower Saxony report both a high level of acceptance and the need for further improvement of the M&MCs, which represents good preconditions for further development towards effective M&MCs.