Released December 5, 2012
West Chester, PA - Top 10% in the country. That is where the Cardiac Surgery program at The Chester County Hospital has been ranked by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. The program has also received a "three star" rating for cardiac surgery by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).
According to Brian Priest, M.D, Chairman, Cardiovascular Institute, The Chester County Hospital, the "three star" rating denotes the highest category of quality placing The Chester County Hospital in the top 10-15% in the country. "In the current analysis of national data covering the period from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, the Cardiac Surgery performance at The Chester County Hospital was found to lie in the highest quality tier, thereby receiving an STS three star rating." states Priest.
The "three star" composite score is based on 11 measures of quality which are divided into 4 domains:
- Risk adjusted mortality
- Risk-adjusted major morbidity
- Percentage of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) procedures that include the use of at least one internal mammary (or internal thoracic) artery for bypass grafting
- Appropriate perioperative medication usage
"This report is an important quality improvement tool for our Hospital," explains Dr. Priest. "It allows us to compare our risk-adjusted performance with like-sized hospitals, with local hospitals and with the national average. We are proud of the impressive results of this year's ranking. We look to continually grow and improve the outcomes and quality of our services."
The Cardiac Surgery Program at The Chester County Hospital is an affiliate of the Cleveland Clinic, the top-ranked heart center in America. This partnership, between Cleveland Clinic's Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery and the Cardiac Surgery Program of The CardioVascular Center at The Chester County Hospital, combines the academic, clinical and research components of Cleveland Clinic with The Chester County Hospital's community-based, clinical program.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 5,800 surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible heart, lung, esophageal, and other surgical procedures for the chest. Founded in 1964, the mission of STS is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.