ABSTRACT
Essentially two types of audits may be encountered: national audits (e.g. in the UK, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence – NICE) and local/hospital audits. Both are designed to improve the quality of care. In an ideal world, national audits should be driven by needs identified in local and hospital-based audits that are closest to the patient. For example, hospital topics are often identified at the departmental morbidity and mortality meetings, where issues related to patient care are discussed. The reporting process might identify a possible national issue, and a national audit could be designed to be completed by the local audit department and surgical teams. The Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland is currently involving all its members in an evaluation of process and outcomes during carotid surgery. Issues that are of local importance are addressed within the local hospital, region or hospital trust (in the UK).
