Research
Children who travel further for common surgery have more complications and longer hospital stays
The Brief
- Nearly one in eight children undergoing a common inpatient surgical procedure lived more than 60 miles (97 km) from the hospital where they received care.
- Children who lived farther away had higher odds of complications, longer hospital stays and higher hospital charges than children who lived closer.
- The findings are reported by Medical Xpress, based on the study it describes.
Why it matters
Distance to a specialised surgical centre may be a practical risk factor for children's outcomes, which can inform how families are referred and how hospitals plan care and transport.
Who’s affected
- paediatric surgeons and hospital administrators
- families of children needing inpatient surgery
- health policy makers concerned with access to pediatric care
- #pediatric surgery
- #health equity
- #hospital outcomes
- #surgical complications
- #healthcare access
Nearly one in eight children undergoing a common inpatient surgical procedure lived more than 60 miles (97 kilometers) from the hospital where they received care. These children had higher odds of complications, longer hospital stays and higher hospital charges than children who…
Timeline
Medical Xpress reports the study findings on children travelling further for common surgery
Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Children who travel further for common surgery have more complications and longer hospital stays