Characteristics of morbidity and mortality conferences associated with the implementation of patient safety improvement initiatives, an observational study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of morbidity and mortality conferences (MMCs) associated with the implementation of patient health-care quality and safety improvement initiatives. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of MMCs and followed up improvement initiatives for 1 year. Data on MMC baseline characteristics were abstracted using document analysis and observation of a meeting in three university hospitals in France (Grenoble, Nice, and Cochin [Paris] hospitals). Fifty-nine MMCs were included in medical (n = 24), surgical (n = 21), and anesthesiology and/or intensive care (n = 14) departments. An effectiveness index was computed by summing a composite score for each initiative pertaining to the MMC. RESULTS: Overall, 282 initiatives were identified in 42 MMCs. During the follow-up period, 215 initiatives (76 %) were totally or partially implemented and the impact was evaluated for 73 (26 %). An effectiveness index higher than the median (i.e., ≥10) was associated with a standardized presentation of cases (81 % versus 29 %, p <0.001), recording of improvement initiatives (94 versus 57, p = 0.001), the existence of an annual activity report (94 % versus 68 %, p = 0.01), the prior dissemination of a meeting agenda (71 % versus 36 %, p = 0.007), longer meeting duration (109 versus 80 min, p = 0.005), anesthesiology and/or intensive care specialty (39 % versus 7 %, p = 0.02), a theme-focused MMC (29 % versus 4 %, p = 0.01), and a thorough analysis of failures (58 % versus 25 %, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the implementation of improvement initiatives relates to MCC characteristics. Recommendations for developing more effective patient safety-oriented MMCs can be proposed. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1279-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.