Esophagectomy Quality Indicators
Number of esophagectomy procedures performed annually
Multiple research studies have shown that hospitals performing a high number of cases of a particular surgery have lower mortality rates when compared to hospitals performing fewer cases. Surgeon and staff experience, along with other support services, are factors that help to explain this association between surgical volume and outcome (Annals of Surgery, July 2007: 246(1); 135-139).
The Leapfrog Group also suggests that Hospitals performing at least 13 to 20 esophagectomy procedures per year have better outcomes.
How many esophagectomy procedures are performed at UVa each year?
UVa's surgeons performed 54 esophagectomy procedures in the past 12 months ending June 2006, exceeding the Leapfrog Group's recommended volume of 13 procedures per year.
