[Mortality during admission in a surgical department]

A review of patient charts in 322 in-hospital deaths in one surgical unit from July 1 2010 to June 31 2011. Overall mortality was 2.9%, with terminal cancer patients, patients unsolvable at admission and patients declining treatment comprising 35.7% of patients dying. Most fatalities (169/53%) were after acute admission (median age 78 years, 61%, ASA score > 2). Stratification of in-hospital mortality in surgical patients is feasible and meaningful. A measurable reduction in surgical mortality is probably only possible in the group of patients with acute admissions.