A recent study published in the May issue of the Annals of Surgery found that the in-hospital death rate following emergency surgery was higher at teaching hospitals than non-teaching hospitals, but no difference in mortality has identified following elective surgery at the two types of hospitals.
The study also found that post-operative infections following elective surgery were more likely to occur at teaching hospitals than at non-teaching hospitals.
The study examined more than 1 million admissions at hospitals in the National Inpatient Sample between 2000 to 2006.
A senior author of the study was unsure of the reason for the difference, but said it could be related to sicker patients presenting at teaching hospitals, which the study did not account for, according to a Reuters report.
Read the Annals of Surgery abstract on teaching hospital mortality.
Read related articles on mortality rates:
Study: Surgical Care Improvement Program Does Not Have the Desired Effect
California Hospitals Drastically Cut Mortality Rates Stemming From Sepsis Infection
The study also found that post-operative infections following elective surgery were more likely to occur at teaching hospitals than at non-teaching hospitals.
The study examined more than 1 million admissions at hospitals in the National Inpatient Sample between 2000 to 2006.
A senior author of the study was unsure of the reason for the difference, but said it could be related to sicker patients presenting at teaching hospitals, which the study did not account for, according to a Reuters report.
Read the Annals of Surgery abstract on teaching hospital mortality.
Read related articles on mortality rates:
Study: Surgical Care Improvement Program Does Not Have the Desired Effect
California Hospitals Drastically Cut Mortality Rates Stemming From Sepsis Infection