Point/counterpoint. Centers of excellence. Ranae Dahlberg vs. David Plocher

This issue's Point/Counterpoint considers the pros and cons of centers of excellence. On the pro side of the debate is Ranae Dahlberg, RN, BSN, Director, Quality Management, United Resource Networks (URN), a Minneapolis-based transplant management company owned by United HealthCare. URN, which began operating in 1990, has a network client base 337 customers. Ms. Dahlberg argues that though expensive, well-managed organ transplant programs have demonstrably improved outcomes. Dissenting is David Plocher, MD, a physician and consultant with Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis. He argues that outcomes data often are misleading depending on the criteria used to evaluate patient results and promised cost savings also may be illusory.