Surgeons should beware of plans to print individual performance

EDITOR—Before the NHS proceeds much further with the idea of publishing details of the performance of individual surgeons,1 note ought to be taken of experience in the United States, the country with most experience in the public release of such data. The main consequence will be a reluctance to treat riskier patients.

Since 1992 Pennsylvania has published a consumer guide to coronary artery bypass surgery; this lists annual …