The Effect of a Regional Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgical Program on Clinical Volume, Quality of Cancer Care, and Outcomes in the Veterans Affairs System

Importance

Malignant neoplasms of the hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) system constitute a significant public health problem worldwide. Treatment coordination for these tumors is challenging and can result in substandard care. Referral centers for HPB disease have been used as a strategy to improve postoperative outcomes, but their effect on accomplishing regionalization of care and improving quality of cancer care is not well known....