The surgical value of community hospitals: a closer look

To assess and compare the safety and efficiency of a surgical unit at a District General Hospital and a Community Hospital for elective cold surgery. A retrospective survey was made using regional computer Hospital Activity Analysis data and monthly audit meeting records of all inpatients having selected elective general surgical operations on one consultant's firm over a period of one year, at Torbay Hospital, Torquay, (DGH) and Newton Abbot Hospital, Newton Abbot (CH). All inpatients and day cases admitted under CACC from April 1, 1987, until March 31, 1988, were studied comparing mortality, morbidity and efficiency for comparable elective surgical procedures. A postal questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction with surgical care at both hospitals was included in the study. 350 patients underwent elective surgical procedures at the DGH and 380 patients underwent similar procedures at the CH. There was no significant increase in mortality and morbidity at the CH, which was preferred by most patients for routine surgical operations. The Community Hospital unit was found to be satisfactory and more efficient for routine elective surgery as determined from the above parameters and the patients themselves.