For the very first time, in the New Zealand, a report is being complied to gauge as to why people die at the time of surgery. The report is being compiled by the Perioperative Mortality Review Committee (POMRC).

It is estimated that about 4,000 to 5,000 patients succumb to death in New Zealand. It has been informed that the report is being complied by using the data of various surgeries conducted from 2005 to 2009.

The main focus of the researchers would be hip and knee arthroplasty, colorectal resection, anaesthesia and cataract surgery. It has been informed that from 2005 to 2009, about 0.24% of the patients seeking hip replacement surgery succumbed to death soon after 30 days of being admitted to the hospital.

However, due to hip fracture, about 7.3% of the patients died. It has been pointed out that the malignant neoplasm of the colon is one of the main reasons behind the death of patients, who undergo elective surgery.

It has further been informed that about 0.2% patients of cataract succumb to death after being discharged from hospital. Heart strokes are yet again one of the reasons behind the escalating number of death cases.

POMRC Chairman Iain Martin was reported of saying, “In a small number of cases, however, there are lessons to be learned that can help improve the quality of health care delivery in New Zealand. This report identifies ways to provide information to help health and disability services understand what is happening”.

The authorities concerned are hopeful that the report thus formed would prove helpful in understanding the reasons behind the death of elective surgery patients. And thus efforts would be made towards reducing the mortality rates.