Medscape January 14, 2026
TOPLINE:
Medicare beneficiaries who underwent colon or lung cancer surgery at hospitals that subsequently closed had higher risks for postoperative complications, but most patients had alternative surgical hospitals within 15 minutes of travel time. These findings suggest closures may improve outcomes by directing patients to better-performing facilities.
METHODOLOGY:
- Since 2010, more than 300 hospitals have closed across the US, with an additional 700 at risk for closure in the next decade. Understanding how hospital closures affect cancer surgical care has important implications for access to and outcomes of specialized surgical services.
- Researchers analyzed Medicare administrative data from 2008 to 2019, including 558,708 fee-for-service beneficiaries who had surgery for colon cancer (360,564) or lung cancer (198,144).
- Primary outcomes measured included...
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