Academic Medical Centers Improve Surgical Outcomes in Nearby Non-Academic Facilities

The presence of high levels of academic medical centers (AMCs) significantly reduces surgical complications and mortality rates in nearby non-academic medical centers (non-AMCs). Analysis of data from over 388,000 Medicare beneficiaries indicated that high AMC presence was linked to a decrease in extended length-of-stay, postoperative complications, and 90-day readmissions. Additionally, this high presence corresponded to lower surgical expenditures, emphasizing the broader impact of AMCs on patient outcomes in regional healthcare markets.