Case volume, quality of care, and care efficiency in coronary artery bypass surgery.

ABSTRACT:

Background

How case volume and quality of care relate to hospital costs or length of stay (LOS) are important questions as we seek to improve the value of health care.

Methods

We conducted an observational study of patients 18 years or older who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in a network of US hospitals. Case volumes were estimated using our data set. Quality was assessed by whether recommended medications and services were not received in ideal patients, as well as the overall number of measures missed. We used multivariable hierarchical models to estimate the effects of case volume and quality on hospital cost and LOS.

Results

The majority of hospitals (51%) and physicians (78%) were lowest-volume providers, and only 18% of patients received all

SUBMITTER: Auerbach AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4893803 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature