[Study of the annual mortality statistics in a general surgical ward with digestive and vascular orientation at a general hospital center].

Quality of care has been evaluated in this study by the criterion of mortality in a Digestive and Vascular Surgery unit. The analysis over a one-year period concerned 34 dead patients among 1298 entered and 1,108 operated patients who underwent 1,248 operations. The causes of death have been studied in the 3 groups: non operated (5 patients), digestive (20 patients), vascular (9 patients), with distinction of emergency surgery. Therapeutic habits have been systematically reexamined and considered either adapted or to be modified. Punctual conclusions of such a study are interesting for the medico-surgical team but also for the nursing team. Transparency of mortality for a whole team is a factor of progress by the periodical reappraisal of the therapeutic habits based upon accurate data, and by the better collaboration in the team.