What is the relationship between hospital volume and mortality following major cancer surgery?
Studies have consistently demonstrated that there is an inverse relationship between hospital volume and mortality following major cancer surgery. Several studies have found that higher volume hospitals have lower mortality rates following major cancer surgery than lower volume hospitals. For example, a study by Hughes et al. (1987) found that patients who underwent major cancer surgery at higher volume hospitals had lower mortality rates than those who underwent surgery at lower volume hospitals. Additionally, a study by Dudley et al. (2000) found that selective referral to high-volume hospitals was associated with a significant reduction in post-operative mortality.  These findings suggest that patients may benefit from being referred to higher volume hospitals for major cancer surgery. 