Benchmarking

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Technology now enables comparison of local audit data with data in a wider setting to examine performance over a range of situations and regions. Increasingly surgical units are collating data to audit topics of specialty or national interest. This benchmarking process compares results across units or practices to inform individual performance (single surgeon or unit) against the wider contributing communities. Results can highlight best practice, flag over- or under-performance, identify education and training needs and assist with the development of clinical guidelines.

Since 1995 the Otago Audit Unit has supplied a benchmarking service to the New Zealand Society of Vascular Surgeons. This was the first benchmarking of its type in Australasia. This RACS approved audit is a protected audit activity under the NZ Health Practitioners Competency Act 2003. Data is supplied by members of the Society with results presented to the Annual Meeting. Members get anonymous feedback on their performance in relation to that of their colleagues and the international vascular community. New Otago Clinical Audit software to be released in September 2005 will allow benchmarking on a wider scale with more sophisticated and speedy reporting.