The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has awarded three stars—its highest designation—to The George Washington University Hospital Cardiac Surgery program.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has recently developed a comprehensive system that allows for comparisons regarding the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country. Approximately 10 percent of hospitals receive the “3 star” rating, which denotes the highest category of quality.

In the current analysis of national data covering the period from 2007 to 2009, the cardiac surgery performance of our hospital was found to be in the highest-quality tier, thereby receiving an STS 3 star rating.

The following data showcase the GW Hospital Cardiac Surgery program’s STS 3 star performance of heart surgery in the following six areas:

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LOWER RATES OF RENAL FAILURE

Renal Failure Complication
Postoperative development of renal failure complications is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospitalization and increased cost. It also has the potential to significantly influence the patient’s quality of life.

*Other hospitals within the STS data set
**STS national mean

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MORE OFF-PUMP CABG PROCEDURES

Off-Pump Procedure
The technical skill of the GW Hospital Cardiothoracic Surgical Team allows for nearly 90 percent of off-pump CABG procedures.
Off-pump CABG is at least as safe as on-pump surgery with additional benefits such as the reduction in myocardial and cerebral injury, rate of transfusion, cost and length of hospital stay. (Yasir Abu-Omar and David P. Taggart. The present status of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Eur J Cardiotharc Surg, 2009 Aug;36:312-21.)

*Other hospitals within the STS data set
**STS national mean

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EARLY EXTUBATION

Initial Ventilation in less than 6 hours
The coordination of care between anesthesia and critical care allows for early extubation (of many patients). Early extubation is associated with decreased atelectasis/pneumonia, increased early ambulation and decreased length of stay.

*Other hospitals within the STS data set
**STS national mean

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LOW USAGE OF INTRAOP BLOOD PRODUCTS

Intraop Blood Products Used
GW Hospital’s intraoperative blood product usage is far below the averages of other hospitals in the STS database. Blood products administration is associated with coagulapathy, prolonged length of stay, inflammatory response and infection. Despite markedly decreased intraoperative blood product usage, postoperative blood products are also lower than average.

*Other hospitals within the STS data set
**STS national mean

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LOWER MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY

Major Morbidity/Operative Mortality
GW Hospital morbidity and mortality statistics are significantly lower than the averages reported by hospitals performing off-pump procedures. Several trials have reported a significant reduction in morbidity with avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass, while large observational studies have also reported a reduction in mortality. (Yasir Abu-Omar and David P. Taggart. The present status of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Eur J Cardiotharc Surg, 2009 Aug;36:312-21.) Other studies have documented improved patient outcomes in settings where skilled teams are performing these procedures.

*Other hospitals within the STS data set
**STS national mean

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EXCELLENT OPERATIVE RESULTS

30-Day Readmission
The low 30-day readmission rate reflects excellent operative results, good management of the patient in the hospital and organized discharge planning.

*Other hospitals within the STS data set
**STS national mean