A prostatectomy audit: phase I--insights and questions.

A local prostatectomy audit is being undertaken to gain some insight into the pre- and peri-operative factors that influence post-operative outcome and length of post-operative stay. The aims of the first phase of the audit, involving 150 prostatectomy patients, have been to attempt to define the minimum data set required to meet the study's objectives, and to devise a data-collecting tool that can be completed by the medical and nursing staff as part of the routine work. A tentative model has been devised to forecast post-operative stay. The audit has raised a number of questions which will form the basis of further studies.