morbidity and mortality conference
Regular medical meeting where surgical complications, adverse outcomes, and deaths are reviewed for quality improvement.
Full Definition
Morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences are structured educational forums where surgical teams systematically review cases involving complications, unexpected outcomes, or patient deaths. These conferences serve multiple purposes including quality assurance, continuing medical education, and fostering a culture of transparency and learning from adverse events. In surgical oncology, M&M conferences typically examine cases involving anastomotic leaks, postoperative mortality, unexpected pathology findings, or technical complications. The discussion focuses on identifying contributing factors, system issues, and opportunities for improvement rather than individual blame. Documentation from these conferences may inform policy changes and quality improvement initiatives.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as M&M conference. Use ampersand, not 'and' in the abbreviation.
In Context
- "The anastomotic leak case will be presented at next week's morbidity and mortality conference for team review." — Quality assurance documentation
- "M&M conference recommendations included implementing enhanced recovery protocols for major hepatobiliary procedures." — Quality improvement meeting minutes