Surgical Outcome Research Center (SORC)

Introduction

The Surgical Outcome Research Center (SORC), founded in 2023 and based at the University Hospital Basel (USB), is a pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing clinical surgical research. Our focus lies in outcome research—analyzing the results and consequences of surgical interventions to enhance patient care, safety, and treatment effectiveness.

SORC operates under the auspices of the Surgical Outcome Research Basel (SORB) Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to promoting high-quality, patient-centered surgical research.

Problem statement

Despite significant advances in surgical techniques and technologies, there remains a critical need for systematic, real-world evaluation of surgical outcomes. Many healthcare systems lack robust, standardized methods for documenting and analyzing patient recovery, complications, and long-term health improvements. This gap hinders quality assurance, limits evidence-based decision-making, and impedes the development of predictive models that could guide personalized treatment strategies.

Our vision

We envision a healthcare landscape where every surgical decision is informed by comprehensive, real-world outcome data. By fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement, SORC aims to become a national and international leader in surgical outcome research—ensuring that patients receive the most effective, evidence-based care possible.

Our mission

·        Promote clinical surgical outcome research across disciplines.

·        Develop and implement multicenter documentation systems (registers) for surgical patient cohorts.

·        Support the planning, execution, and dissemination of clinical studies.

·        Provide methodological, statistical, and regulatory expertise to surgical research teams.

·        Foster education and training in patient-oriented outcome research.

·        Facilitate interinstitutional, interprofessional, and interdisciplinary collaborations.