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Published on: August 5, 2020

Mortality review: an exercise in improving competency and care

Jeannette Y Wick1, Guido R Zanni

  • 1National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.

The Consultant Pharmacist : the Journal of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
|July 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Mortality review (MR) systematically analyzes end-of-life care to improve interventions for at-risk individuals and populations. Implementing MR in long-term care can enhance resident care, decision-making, and staff coordination.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Healthcare Quality Improvement
  • Palliative Care

Background:

  • Mortality review (MR) is a systematic analysis of end-of-life care.
  • It examines deaths in specific locations or populations to identify improvement opportunities.
  • The primary aim is to enhance early intervention for individuals and groups at risk of death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the role of mortality review as a quality improvement method.
  • To emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of MR, including pharmacy.
  • To explore the potential benefits of routine MR implementation in long-term care settings.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic analysis of end-of-life care data.
  • Inclusion of multi-disciplinary input, such as pharmacy.
  • Adherence to detailed, proscribed processes for review.

Main Results:

  • MR facilitates identification of areas for improved early intervention.
  • The process involves collaboration across various healthcare disciplines.
  • Routine implementation in long-term care settings is not mandated but beneficial.

Conclusions:

  • Mortality review offers a structured approach to understanding and improving end-of-life care.
  • Its multidisciplinary nature ensures comprehensive analysis.
  • Routine adoption in long-term care settings can significantly improve resident outcomes and care coordination.

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