Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the entire cancerous prostate gland and some surrounding tissue. Radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are the most common treatments for curing prostate cancer.
The researchers relied on data from HHS’ Health Care Utilization Project, which includes nearly 90,000 radical prostatectomy performed from 2001-2007. Of those, nearly 60 percent were performed at teaching hospitals. The study found that patients who had radical prostatectomy surgery at teaching hospitals, compared to those who underwent the surgery at non-academic institutions, experienced fewer complications after surgery, fewer blood transfusions and shorter hospital stays.
While the researchers noted teaching hospitals do not always provide better care, they have concluded several characteristics of teaching hospitals may be the drivers of these improved outcomes. For instance, teaching hospitals often offer more subspecialties, and every level of clinical decision-making is subject to peer review.
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