Volume of Common Procedures
One important measure that is associated with good care is hospital volume. While researchers are still trying to understand the exact relationship between volume and quality, studies have found that surgical teams with experience – that is, routinely performing a sufficient number of cases – get better results.
Looking at hospital volume over time can also provide you with some useful information about how practice patterns have changed over the years with the growth of new technology and new ways of doing procedures.
Below are the number of times BIDMC has performed certain procedures over time. It is one more piece of information for you to consider when making a decision about your care. For information about BIDMC surgeon volume, click on the link to the state's hospital cost and quality website: http://www.mass.gov/healthcareqc.
| Volume Indicators |
FY2004 |
FY2005 |
FY2006 |
FY2007 |
| AAA - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair |
98 |
111 |
105 |
125 |
| Weight Loss Surgery: open gastric bypass |
258 |
62 |
18 |
26 |
| Weight Loss Surgery: laparoscopic gastric bypass |
*** |
63 |
94 |
77 |
| Weight Loss Surgery: laparoscopic gastric banding |
*** |
55 |
98 |
130 |
| CABG - (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) |
426 |
456 |
437 |
445 |
| Carotid endarterectomy |
171 |
124 |
146 |
135 |
| Esophagectomy |
7 |
11 |
20 |
18 |
| Hip replacement: revision |
9 |
24 |
6 |
2 |
| Hip replacement: total or partial |
105 |
155 |
185 |
182 |
| Knee replacement: revision |
4 |
15 |
1 |
0 |
| Knee replacement: total |
72 |
119 |
152 |
173 |
| Knee replacement: total replacement of both knees during the same surgery |
6 |
23 |
14 |
8 |
| Pancreatectomy |
79 |
84 |
81 |
88 |
| Prostatectomy: radical |
78 |
97 |
104 |
104 |
BIDMC Volume Data has been adapted from the definitions outlined in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Health Care Quality and Cost Information at www.mass.gov/healthcareqc. Click here to see Massassachusetts Department of Public Health Volume Inclusion Definitions.
Other useful specific services measures:
Last updated: August 18, 2008
