For mechanically ventilated patients there is a significant relationship between the annual volume (absolute number) of mechanically ventilated admissions to UK intensive care units and acute hospital mortality. Intensive care units admitting more than 321 ventilated patients per annum demonstrated a statistically significant survival benefit (p<0.02). This relationship was most pronounced among non-surgical admissions.
Level of evidence: Level 2B: retrospective cohort study, but with concerns over validity.
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