Surgical audit--workload, utilisation of manpower and beds, pattern of admission and operations in a community teaching hospital.

The first surgical audit from a South African teaching hospital is presented. During a 1-year period (1987) 1,725 patients were treated in a 60-bed unit (29 patients/bed/yr). Eighty per cent of admissions were emergencies; 1036 operative procedures were performed (45% emergency operations). Aspects of workload, utilisation of beds, pattern of admission and operations are discussed. The audit indicated that a surgical unit in an urban teaching hospital for white patients serves mainly as an acute surgical facility.