Heart Surgery - Clinical Data

Clinical measures have been identified by The Joint Commission as being important indicators of care quality.  A process of care measure shows how often hospitals give recommended treatments that are known to get the best results for patients.  Risk-adjusted mortality measures are a quality indicator of hospital performance.


Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Mortality Rate

A lower number is better.

What this means

This measures the percentage of all patients undergoing a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) procedure who die during their hospital stay.

The Expected Mortality shown in this comparison is a calculated measure developed by the University Health System Consortium, and it is based on “risk adjustment” information about Fletcher Allen patients. It reflects the fact that some patients are sicker than others or have preexisting conditions that make death more likely. This measure shows Fletcher Allen actual and predicted outcomes as well as our performance in relationship to other academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

A low mortality rate is an indicator of a good patient care process. This measure shows how Fletcher Allen compares with hospitals nationwide.

Chart Source Data - University HealthSystem Consortium

Overall Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) - Cardiac Surgery

A higher number is better.

What this means

This measures the overall use of indicated antibiotics for surgical infection prevention.

Why it's important

Surgical patients whose use of antibiotics are managed effectively generally have better overall outcomes.

Chart Source Data - Joint Commission #2