For hospitals

Learning from complications and adverse outcomes, together.

Morbidity and Mortality reviews are structured, retrospective discussions of complications, adverse outcomes and unexpected deaths. Their purpose is learning: understanding what happened, identifying contributing factors and agreeing on improvements to patient care. TheKnowHow supports hospital-led Morbidity and Mortality programs with coordination and independent international expertise.

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Hospital-led

You lead. We support.

The hospital leads its Morbidity and Mortality program and remains responsible for clinical governance and for every decision. TKH coordinates, prepares and facilitates, and brings independent specialist input, within a scope agreed with the hospital.

Two different services

Morbidity and Mortality review or second opinion?

Both draw on independent expertise, but they answer different questions.

Morbidity and Mortality reviewSecond medical opinion
PurposeMorbidity and Mortality reviewHospital quality improvement and shared learningSecond medical opinionAn independent review of one patient’s diagnosis or care plan
Requested byMorbidity and Mortality reviewThe hospital, for example its quality, clinical governance or department leadsSecond medical opinionThe patient or the treating doctor
Looks atMorbidity and Mortality reviewSelected past cases, with a focus on processes and systems of careSecond medical opinionThe current diagnosis and treatment options for that patient
ResultMorbidity and Mortality reviewLearning points and improvement recommendations for the hospital to considerSecond medical opinionA written report on options, benefits and risks
DecisionsMorbidity and Mortality reviewMade by the hospital through its own governanceSecond medical opinionMade by the patient together with the treating doctor

About our second medical opinion

Who does what

Clear roles

The hospital

  • Defines the scope, objectives and governance framework
  • Selects cases according to its own criteria
  • Provides de-identified case information
  • Chairs the meeting and leads the discussion
  • Decides on actions and implements them

TheKnowHow

  • Helps structure the program and the case summary format
  • Prepares de-identified case summaries with relevant guideline and literature context
  • Identifies independent specialists for each case
  • Facilitates the expert discussion
  • Documents learning points and recommendations
  • Supports follow-up of the actions the hospital has agreed

How a review works

From case selection to follow-up.

Follow a case through the review. Each step sits with the side that leads it.

  1. The hospital selects cases for review using its own criteria, such as complications, unexpected outcomes or deaths.

  2. Patient and staff identifiers are removed before any case information is shared with TKH or external experts.

  3. TKH prepares a structured case summary with the relevant guidelines and evidence, and invites independent specialists.

  4. The case is discussed in the hospital’s Morbidity and Mortality meeting, chaired by the hospital and facilitated with TKH’s independent experts.

  5. Learning points and improvement recommendations are documented for the hospital to consider.

  6. The hospital decides which actions to take. TKH can support a later review of how they were implemented.

The hospital

Case selection

The hospital selects cases for review using its own criteria, such as complications, unexpected outcomes or deaths.

A learning loop: what the hospital learns in follow-up informs the next case selection.

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Governance

Governance and confidentiality

Our Morbidity and Mortality service works within the hospital’s own governance. How cases are handled is agreed with the hospital before the first review.

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  • Selection

    Cases are selected by the hospital, according to criteria it sets.

  • De-identification

    Case information is de-identified before it is shared, and only the information needed for the discussion is used.

  • Documentation

    Discussions are documented in the format the hospital chooses, following its governance and record-keeping rules.

  • Data protection

    Data handling follows the agreed data-protection arrangements, applicable UAE rules and our Privacy Policy.

  • Learning focus

    The collaboration focuses on learning and on improving systems of care. It is not designed to investigate individuals or to reach disciplinary findings.

Confidentiality arrangements, record keeping and any legal protection of Morbidity and Mortality discussions depend on the hospital’s governance framework and applicable rules. They are defined by the hospital and its legal advisers; TKH does not make promises about them.

FAQ

Questions from hospitals

Is a Morbidity and Mortality review the same as a second opinion?

No. A Morbidity and Mortality review is a hospital learning activity about past cases. A second opinion is an independent review of one patient’s current diagnosis or care plan.

Do you need patient-identifiable information?

No. Case information is de-identified before it is shared with TKH or external experts.

Who owns the recommendations?

The hospital. Recommendations are offered for the hospital to consider and decide on through its own governance.

Can TKH support our existing Morbidity and Mortality meetings?

Yes. The collaboration can support an existing program or help set up a new one, in a scope agreed with the hospital.

Are the discussions legally protected?

That depends on the hospital’s governance arrangements and applicable rules. TKH does not promise legal privilege; please confirm with your legal advisers.

Talk to TKH

Discuss Morbidity and Mortality reviews

Tell us about your hospital’s quality and learning goals, and we will propose a scope that fits your governance.

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