Editorial comment

摘要

These authors used NIS data to address the important relationship between hospital volume and surgical outcomes after RALP. They conclude that patients should be referred to high volume hospitals based on fewer complications, shorter LOS and cost savings at these centers. While regional-ization of surgical care to high volume centers has benefits for the patients privileged to be treated at those centers, it may also have potential detriments, including increased patient travel distance (reference 9 in article), and less business and preparedness at low volume hospitals, which could adversely impact access to care for some patients.