Low-volume hospitals combat low-quality image.
Patients with certain conditions have better odds for survival if they go to hospitals that treat a high volume of those conditions. Some researchers question the validity of the volume-outcome studies in general. Even as the debate proceeds, however, health care purchasers are paying closer attention to such studies. One group of high-profile purchasers is even discussing the controversial practice of selective referrals to high-volume facilities.
D019985:Benchmarking; D002140:California; D006801:Humans; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012040:Regional Health Planning; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000592:standards; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review