LAUSR

Key Points Question Are interhospital transfers of patients with emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions consistently directed to hospitals with more resources and better outcomes? Findings In this cohort study using network analysis of interhospital transfers of 80 307 adults with EGS conditions, transfers were consistently directed to high-volume hospitals with more resources. However, transfers were not necessarily directed to hospitals with better outcomes (ie, lower risk-adjusted failure to rescue and lower in-hospital mortality). Meaning The results of this study suggest that opportunities exist to improve the selection of transfer destinations for patients with EGS conditions, with potential to improve clinical outcomes for transferred patients.