title: Point/counterpoint. Centers of excellence. Ranae Dahlberg vs. David Plocher.
abstract: This issue's Point/Counterpoint considers the pros and cons of centers of excellence. On the pro side of the debate is Ranae Dahlberg, RN, BSN, Director, Quality Management, United Resource Networks (URN), a Minneapolis-based transplant management company owned by United HealthCare. URN, which began operating in 1990, has a network client base 337 customers. Ms. Dahlberg argues that though expensive, well-managed organ transplant programs have demonstrably improved outcomes. Dissenting is David Plocher, MD, a physician and consultant with Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis. He argues that outcomes data often are misleading depending on the criteria used to evaluate patient results and promised cost savings also may be illusory.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dahlberg
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Plocher
mesh_terms: D003406:Credentialing; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D011243:Preferred Provider Organizations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014481:United States