National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Designation and 30-Day Mortality for Hospitalized, Immunocompromised Cancer Patients

Purpose: To examine 30-day mortality and National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation for cancer patients who are immunocompromised and hospitalized. Method: Secondary analysis of 1998 and 1999 hospital claims, cancer registry, and vital statistics (n = 10,370) linked to survey and administrative data from 160 Pennsylvania hospitals. Logistic regression models estimated the effects of NCI designation on the likelihood of 30-day mortality. Results: NCI-designated centers were associated with a 33% reduction in the likelihood of death, after adjusting for patient, hospital, and nursing characteristics. Conclusions: Immunocompromised cancer patients have lower mortality in NCI-designated hospitals. Identification and adoption of care processes from these institutions may improve mortality.