Does a “hernia center” label provide better 30-day outcomes following elective ventral hernia repair?: An analysis of the ACHQC database

•Currently, there is no agreed upon definition of a hernia center of excellence (COE).•Within the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) database, approximately 30% of sites are currently identified as designated hernia centers (DHC).•There was no statistically significant difference between DHC and non-DHC (NDHC) with respect to 30-day wound events.•Patients who underwent ventral hernia repair (VHR) at NDHC were less likely to experience a 30-day complication.•Patients who underwent VHR at DHC had a statistically significant greater improvement in hernia related quality of life.