The Morbidity and Mortality Conference in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: An Important Cornerstone of Patient Safety and Optimal Care

Abstract

The morbidity and mortality (M&M) conference has evolved considerably in recent years. M&M was originally developed by surgeons and anesthesiologists to investigate negative “end results.” M&Ms were intended to be an open discussion promote and enhance patient safety, and to be engaged in projects to improve systems of care, decrease health care disparities and improve patient outcomes. Incorporation of these varied objectives and principles has led to a variety of innovations in M&M conferences that have been reported widely in general and emergency medicine, oncology, surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics. The result is an evolution of the traditional M&M into a comprehensive and dynamic Quality and Patient Outcomes (QPO) conference, which fosters QI, patient safety, and medical education. The combination of high-volume diverse procedures, inpatient and outpatient clinical practice, and integration of hepatology and luminal gastroenterology each