title: [Minimum provider volumes in heart surgery].
abstract: The introduction of minimum provider volumes for certain medical procedures has been the subject of scientific investigation and political controversy for quite a while. The core of the discussion focuses on the hypothesis that minimum provider volumes could significantly improve operative results and cost efficiency. In Germany the Fifth Volume of Social Law (Sozialgesetzbuch V) set the legal stage for the implementation of minimum provider volumes. This article is a brief review on the experience with minimum provider volumes in cardiac surgery. The main focus is on coronary artery bypass surgery, as this happens to be the most frequently investigated procedure.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Herz- und Gefässchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum, Hugstetterstrasse 55, Freiburg, Germany. joachim.geissler@uniklinik-freiburg.de
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Geissler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beyersdorf
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015996:Survival Rate