Larger Centers Produce Better Outcomes in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Regionalization is a Superior Model – The Con Prospective

Regionalization, in the context of congenital heart surgery, describes a process where smaller units close and patients are redistributed to larger centers. Proponents argue this will produce superior patient outcome based primarily on a volume-outcome effect. The potential disadvantage is that, as distance to center increases, access to service is compromised. In this article the volume-outcome effect is appraised and the effect of risk-stratification and threshold volumes explored. Access to service, and how certain congenital lesions and demographics might be disadvantaged, is reviewed.
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Source Type: research