STS Awards The Medical Center, Navicent Health Prestigious 3 Star Rating
Society for Thoracic Surgeons Honors MCNH's Open Heart Surgery Program
MACON, GA (Thursday, July 7, 2016) - The Medical Center, Atrium Health Navicent (MCNH) has earned the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) prestigious 3 Star rating. The 3 Star rating represents the highest award for heart surgery practices participating in STS' national specialty database.
MCNH received the 3 Star ratings based on analysis of both first time isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery patients during 2015. The rating affirms that cardiac patients treated at MCNH significantly outperformed the STS mean participant score nationwide.
“The 3 Star rating confirmed by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons is widely regarded as the gold standard by which cardiac surgery programs are evaluated. It is the highest honor achievable. The 3 Star rating is a testament to the expertise of our surgeons and the commitment of our physicians and staff to quality and excellence,” said Dr. Christopher Hendry, Chief Medical Officer for MCNH.
STS' national specialty database was established in 1989 as an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety. The comprehensive rating system was developed on evidenced-based best practices proven through leading scientific research. It allows for comparisons regarding quality cardiac surgery among participating hospitals across the U.S. The categories of outcome measurement for CABG include the following:
- Absence of Mortality
- Absence of Morbidity - avoiding post-operative complications such as renal failure, stroke, infection, re-operation during the same stay or prolonged time on a ventilator
- Use of the Internal Mammary Artery (IMA).
- Appropriate use of Medications
The categories of outcome measurement for AVR include Mortality and Morbidity.
“The STS database is the only one that is uniform and consistent for all patients throughout the country. It compares a facility nationally with its peers. Our cardiac patients can rest assured that we provide the highest level of excellent care at The Medical Center, Navicent Health,” said Dr. Hendry.
Of MCNH's 507 total open heart surgery cases in 2015, 393 were CABG patients and 50 were AVR patients, while 29 patients were both CABG and AVR.