Table 1 Summary of the EPOCH trial programme theory

If

 - Relevant data are reviewed and fed back to teams regularly,

 - Key professionals come together to form an improvement team,

 - QI leads and colleagues learn basic quality improvement approaches, and

 - Relevant stakeholders are made aware of the project and improvement goals

Then

 - A shared view of performance and improvement gaps can be created,

 - Professionals can work as a team to define and achieve local improvement goals,

 - Basic quality improvement approaches can be employed to achieve the improvement goals, and

 - Stakeholders will be more engaged in the need for change and aware of how improvement will occur

So that

 - Improvements in care delivery in line with the recommended care pathway can be achieved

So that

 - Mortality after emergency laparotomy can be reduced.