Administrative aspects of a general surgical firm: an audit of accuracy of operation lists and timeliness of discharge summaries.

A one-year audit of operation lists and discharge summaries of one surgical firm showed only 1.4 percent of operation lists contained errors or omissions and only 5 percent contained abbreviations. 74.2 percent of discharge summaries were dictated within one week of discharge. A high proportion of day cases allowed 44.7 percent of the discharge summaries to be dictated on the day of operation. Close consultant and secretarial involvement in the preparation of operating lists can ensure a high degree of accuracy. Day case operation notes should be combined with a discharge letter to optimise communication with general practitioners.