A Role for Morbidity and Mortality Conferences in Psychiatry

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this paper is to raise the possibility of morbidity and mortality conferences as a means of improving the quality of care in psychiatric services. Method: The literature regarding quality assurance, medical error, adverse outcomes in care delivery, psychiatric abuse, and morbidity and mortality conferences is examined. Results: Classification of error in medicine refers to the terms overuse, underuse and misuse. Adverse events in psychiatric care suggest an additional category of abuse. A framework for morbidity and mortality conferences exists within the medical literature that may be applied to psychiatry. Data utilized for morbidity and mortality conferences must consider the need for timeliness and completeness. Different forms of data currently exist, not all available electronically. Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality conferences can benefit care delivery and contribute to safe systems through the examination of adverse events in care. The increased availability of electronic data collection and reporting systems may provide useful data as a basis for discussion at such conferences. Further engagement of the psychiatric services community in the organization and content of morbidity and mortality conferences is desirable. Support at institutional and College level will be required for their effective introduction.