| 144 | haematologica | 2009; 94(1) Planker, Rudolf Pihusch, Rudolf Weide, Wolfgang Kern, and Torsten Haferlach MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory, Munich; Clinic for Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Hamburg, Hamburg-Eppendorf; University Hospital of Essen, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Essen; Munich Oncology Practice, MVZ Elisenhof, Munich; Hematology & Oncology Pract...

BACKGROUND One consequence of the shifting economic health care landscape is the growing trend of physician employment and practice acquisition by hospitals. These acquired practices are often converted into hospital- or provider-based clinics. This designation brings the increased services of the hospital, the accreditation of the hospital, and a new billing structure verses the private clinic...

1Head Clinical Unit: Surgery, New Somerset Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa 2Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa 3Private Practice, Somerset West, South Africa 4Private Practice, Bellville, South Africa 5Private Practice, George and Consultant Surgeon George Provincial Hospital, South Africa 6Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Afri...