TRIMESTER - Rotunda Library Newsletter March 2012 | Page 5

5

Volume 5 Issue 1
March 2012

Book Review - Dr Michael Geary
Obstetrics and Gynaecology: An evidence-based text for MRCOG 2nd Edition

T

his is an excellent text book
and candidates preparing for the
MRCOG should not be without
it. The key emphasis in this book is on
evidence based practice, which is clearly
important in the preparation for exams
but more important critically in the day
to day management and care of our
patients.
The chapters are well written and easy
to read. The reference list in each chapter
is not exhaustive and focuses on key
references that allow the reader to look
up landmark publications in the particular
area. Each chapter gives a summary table
of the minimum MRCOG standards
expected for that particular topic and this
is very useful. In addition at the end of
each chapter there is a table of key points
which again is very helpful.
In summary, I have been impressed
with this second edition text book and I
would strongly recommend it to all
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists,
especially those preparing for the MRCOG.
Dr Michael Geary

Publisher:
Hodder Arnold
ISBN:
0340990139
Review taken from Irish Medical Journal 2011 Volume 104 Issue 10

Clinical Audit Meets Midwifery Journal Club

T

he word audit comes from the Latin word audire which means to hear
(Weeks, A., 2010). A number of definitions exist but formally it is a
quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through
a systematic review of care against explicit criteria (Weeks, A., 2010)†.
At the January meeting of the Midwifery Journal Club, Mary Whelan introduced
the audience to the concept of clinical audit and charted it and the Clinical Audit
Department development in the Rotunda from July 2011. She discussed the four
stages of the audit cycle and how these stages are reflected in audit topic selection
and SMART objective setting. Using recognisable examples of audit applications
she showed how work practices can be assessed, measured and compared against
standards to be achieved.
Standards dictate an objective level of performance for those aspects of care
that you wish to examine. They must be based on the latest available research
and evidence and through a literature search indicating what standards are
recommended or achieved both internationally and nationally. In selecting topics
for clinical audit it is advisable to consider high risk, high cost and high volume areas of
care.
In this six month period the audit team have effectively introduced audit as a
tool which is now firmly placed at a strategic and local level in the hospital. As
studies have confirmed it is necessary to take your colleagues with you on the audit journey:
to work as a team (Weeks, A., 2010)†.
Congratulations to Mary and the Audit Dept. on their success to date.
† Weeks, S., (2010)
Lets Do Audit!: a practical guide to improving the quality of medical care through criterion-based audit. London: RCOG Press.