Referring patients to hospitals that have the largest volume of surgical procedures does not necessarily lead to improved outcomes for the overall population, according to the results of a new study in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Comparing results before and after 2001 (2004 for pancreatic resection), researchers found the proportion of patients treated at hospitals meeting the Leapfrog Group's Evidence-Based Hospital Referral program's volume metric for a given procedure increased for pancreatic and esophageal resection, but was similar for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
In general, rates of adverse events were lower at hospitals meeting an EBHR volume metric. However, across Washington State and at non-EBHR centers, rates of mortality, readmission and complications generally did not improve in the seven years following the introduction of the EBHR initiative.
Read the ACS news release about Leapfrog Group's EBHR program.
Read other coverage about adverse outcomes:
- Researchers Find Positive Relationship Between Patient Safety Culture, Fewer Adverse Outcomes
- HealthGrades Study: Medical Errors Much Lower at Top-Rated Hospitals
- Patient Safety Expert Dr. Charles Denham on Patient Safety: Learn Global, Act Local, Be Vocal
Comparing results before and after 2001 (2004 for pancreatic resection), researchers found the proportion of patients treated at hospitals meeting the Leapfrog Group's Evidence-Based Hospital Referral program's volume metric for a given procedure increased for pancreatic and esophageal resection, but was similar for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
In general, rates of adverse events were lower at hospitals meeting an EBHR volume metric. However, across Washington State and at non-EBHR centers, rates of mortality, readmission and complications generally did not improve in the seven years following the introduction of the EBHR initiative.
Read the ACS news release about Leapfrog Group's EBHR program.
Read other coverage about adverse outcomes:
- Researchers Find Positive Relationship Between Patient Safety Culture, Fewer Adverse Outcomes
- HealthGrades Study: Medical Errors Much Lower at Top-Rated Hospitals
- Patient Safety Expert Dr. Charles Denham on Patient Safety: Learn Global, Act Local, Be Vocal