Using surgical outcomes data.

The measurement of expanded outcomes data is continuing. As managed care continues to spread through the United States and competition increases, an increased emphasis will be placed on the importance of collecting and analyzing outcomes data as a way to assess and ensure quality of care. Surgeons must familiarize themselves with the concepts behind the measurement of outcomes data and involve themselves in the development of outcomes indicators for surgery in order to ensure a continuing high level of surgical care is provided to their patients.