title: Invited commentary.
authors.forename: Caprice C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zinner
mesh_terms: D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000639:trends*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology