Table 3

MMC problems and recommended interventions

Problem	Recommendation
How to improve education value of MMC	Enforce a time limit < 15–20 min Standardize presentations with a PowerPoint template or SBAR format Dedicated moderator to facilitate discussion Target discussion questions to specific audience members or use an audience response system Assign all unanswered questions as a research question to learners to be reported at the next MMC
How to improve error analysis	Focused discussion on causative factors Taxonomic error analysis
How to better represent morbidity and mortality with case selection	Use an electronic database (e.g., NSQIP) to identify cases for presentation Dedicated moderator to select cases for presentation
How to improve MMC attendance	Teleconferencing for geographically separated centres Plan MMCs in the morning before operating hours
How to improve continuity and dissemination of MMC content	Create and circulate newsletters that highlight salient points of each MMC Distribute surgeon report cards that detail quality-dependent factors that may have contributed to adverse events

MMC = morbidity and mortality conference; NSQIP = National Surgical Quality Improvement Program; SBAR = situation, background, assessment, recommendation.