WILMINGTON – The New Hanover Regional Medical Center Heart Center has received the highest designation given to hospitals -- a three-star rating for quality of coronary artery bypass surgery -- by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Nationwide, only about 10 percent of heart centers attain this level, which is a designation recognizing quality and clinical excellence. This designation was awarded as part of a comprehensive rating system that compares the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has awarded the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Heart Center a three-star rating for overall quality of care and clinical excellence. The STS database is the national report card that compares the quality of cardiac surgery programs across the country. Historically, only 10 percent of hospitals receive the three-star rating.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons collects and analyzes data on coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG), the most common cardiac surgical procedure, and organizes it into four categories to determine a score. The categories include avoidance of operative mortality; avoidance of the five most serious complications of CABG surgeries; the percentage of CABG procedures that include the use of at least one of the arteries from the underside of the chest wall for bypass grafting, which generally has better outcomes; and how often all of the four medications believed to improve a patient’s immediate and long-term outcomes were prescribed. The composite score is based on National Quality Forum measures. The three-star rating denotes the highest category of quality and indicates that the NHRMC Heart Center has scored significantly higher than the overall mean score.
“Our physicians, nurses and staff have worked diligently to provide high quality care to our patients and we are very pleased to be recognized by this prestigious organization,” said David Parks, vice president of cardiac services at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. About the NHRMC Heart CenterNew Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Heart Center is home to 29 cardiologists and 3 cardiovascular surgeons who perform more than 550 surgical procedures and 12,000 diagnostic procedures each year. The NHRMC Heart Center is the only hospital in Southeastern North Carolina to perform heart surgery and is among the state’s leaders in cardiac care. In recent years, the NHRMC Heart Center has received recognition for excellence from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and was named a standout hospital for cardiology and heart surgery. For more information on the services provided at the NHRMC Heart Center, click here.About the Society of Thoracic SurgeonsThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 6,600 surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals in 85 countries 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.
New Hanover Regional Medical Center is the leading provider of quality and accessible health care in Southeastern North Carolina, delivering care to all in need, without the support of taxpayer dollars. The medical center takes seriously its responsibility as an economic engine for the community, creating more than 5,000 jobs directly and another 6,000 jobs indirectly.
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