Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy: A Risk Factor for Short-Term Wound Complications after Radical Resection for Rectal Cancer?

Background: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for rectal cancer may increase wound complications after oncologic proctectomy. We aimed to assess the relationship between neoadjuvant RT and 30-day wound complications after radical surgery for rectal cancer.

Study Design: We identified rectal cancer patients (International Classification of Diseases, revision-9 [ICD-9] code 154.

Clinical process improvement as a means of facilitating health care system integration.

Background: In recent years many health care providers, physicians, hospitals, and managed care organizations have undergone significant reorganization in both delivery and financing systems. This has created new organizations called integrated or organized delivery systems. Sentara Health System (Norfolk, Va), one of these new integrated entities, developed a unified strategy for clinical process improvement for the entire organization.