Geographic and racial disparities in the utilization of low-volume cystectomy hospitals for bladder cancer.
302 Background: Extensive research has demonstrated volume-outcome benefits for select cancer surgeries, such as cystectomy. However, barriers to the use of high volume cystectomy hospitals have not been comprehensively explored. Methods: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System was utilized to obtain data on all inpatients who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer from 1997-2011. Volume status was defined by dividing patients into quintiles based on the number of cystectomies performed by each hospital in 1997-2001. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the impact of distance and race on use of low volume hospitals. Driving distances were calculated using a geographic information system. Race was stratified by the racial profile of a subject’s community to explore the underlying causes of racial disparities. Results: A cohort of 8,712 cystectomy patients was identified. The number of available high volume hospitals increased over time, consistent with regionalization of surgeries. Minimum travel distance to high volume hospitals decreased over time for the general population, but living >21 miles still increased risk for low volume hospital utilization (see Table). Racial disparities were most prominent among blacks living in black communities, despite generally living closer to high volume hospitals (median travel distance of 5.3 miles versus 16.6 miles for whites living in white communities). Conclusions: Regionalization of cystectomies has occurred in New York State, as has been observed in multiple other regions of the United States. However, geographic and racial disparities exist in the use of high volume cystectomy hospitals. [Table: see text]