ABSTRACT
Audit can either be a process of self-review (self audit) or external review (peer audit). Self-audit has the advantages of being cheaper and non-threatening but it may be a less rigorous process, which may be a problem in the current climate of doubts over the validity of self-regulation. Peer audit involves auditors from outside the immediate group evaluating practice. This is certainly more threatening, but may be a more rigorous process. The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI mp or CHI) recently set up by the UK government will perform external audit on hospitals, departments, practices or even individual doctors whose practice is providing concern. Anonymous external audit already exists within the NHS including the audits of Perioperative deaths and Maternal and Perinatal deaths.
