Do we need numbers or quality?

For several programmes that are currently under development, the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC) is providing guidelines with respect to numbers of patients that should be treated to guarantee quality. A centre should perform at least 600 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) to qualify for a license. It would seem reasonable to limit the number of centres that perform these procedures in order to prevent an excessive capacity. In addition, for the interventionalist it is crucial to do sufficient cases in order to maintain and expand skills.