An evaluation of Medline published paediatric audits from 1966 to 1999

Aim: To evaluate the quality of paediatric audits from 1966 to 1999.
Methods: A Medline search was performed using the MeSH terms audit, child, paediatric (and pediatric).
Predefined core elements of audit were used as inclusion criteria for entry of an article into this study. These criteria were as follows: (1) an article deals with a healthcare topic; (2) a standard is predefined; (3) actual practice is evaluated; (4) actual practice is compared with the standard. The fifth criterion of audit, dissemination of information and reaudit, was not an inclusion criterion, as it was not used in the early years covered by this study. Empirical grading of standards was used.