Calif. Data Show Wide Variation in Frequency of Surgical Procedures

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Calif. Data Show Wide Variation in Frequency of Surgical Procedures

On Monday, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development released data showing wide county-by-county variations in the frequency of four surgical procedures in California, with counties with smaller populations reporting significantly higher rates of the procedures, HealthLeaders Media reports.

OSHPD released data on:

Coronary artery bypass graft procedures;
Hysterectomies;
Spinal fusion procedures; and
Stent procedures.

The data come from 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Joe Parker, director of OSHPD's Healthcare Outcomes Center, said the data are not adjusted for severity of disease or comorbidities but nonetheless provide background information to raise questions about the way California doctors are practicing (Clark, HealthLeaders Media, 10/20).