Lobectomy for Lung Cancer at Veterans Administration Medical Center Versus Academic Medical Center

Keeping surgeon experience constant, and after adjusting for patient factors, the rate of major complication after lobectomy is higher at VAMC. The difference is largely attributable to a higher rate of postoperative pneumonia at VAMC. Complications after pulmonary resection at VAMC could be reduced by implementing quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing the rate of postoperative pneumonia.