Guest Editorial by Dr. Mathias P. Bostrom

The Surgery Quality Blind Spot

Each year, millions of Americans face a decision that’s more consequential than buying a home or car: choosing where to have major surgery. For procedures like spinal fusions and hip and knee replacements—among the most common operations in medicine—the choice of hospital can mean the difference between a full recovery and months of avoidable setbacks, pain, and stress.

Yet while a car purchase comes with detailed safety ratings and prospective homebuyers can obtain inspection reports, patients preparing for surgery are left largely in the dark—even though surgical complications can lead to extended hospital stays, additional procedures, and sometimes permanent disability.

Luckily, there is one telltale indicator of the risk associated with having surgery at a specific hospital—volume, or how many procedures a hospital performs annually. Studies show that high-volume hospitals consistently achieve better outcomes across multiple types of surgery.