10 Feb 2009 09:00 AM
Reports Show High Quality Of Cardiac Surgical Care In Massachusetts
Data released today show that hospitals in Massachusetts continue to provide a high quality of cardiac surgical care to patients in the Commonwealth.
Two reports, one detailing mortality rates for adults undergoing cardiac bypass surgery, and another documenting mortality rates following patients who have undergone treatment to clear a blocked coronary artery, show that the risk of dying in the immediate aftermath of such procedures has decreased significantly over the past five years.
The data, covering procedures performed during Fiscal Year 2007 were analyzed by Mass-DAC, a data coordinating center operated by Harvard Medical School's Department of Health Care Policy, and released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (DPH) Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality.
"Massachusetts has some of best cardiac surgical care in the nation," said Paul Dreyer, DPH Director of Health Care Safety and Quality. "The data contained in these reports are good news for patients, and a testament to continued commitment to improved health care quality in our hospitals."
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Most Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) involve inserting a catheter into a coronary artery and inflating a balloon to relieve a blockage that is impeding blood flow needed for healthy heart function. Such a procedure, commonly known as angioplasty, is often performed on patients at high risk of, or who are having, a heart attack.
In Massachusetts, 22 hospitals are licensed to perform PCI. The data released today cover procedures performed on two categories of patients: those who are not in shock or having a major heart attack prior to the procedure, and those who are. Since the first year of data collection in 2003, the death rate for PCI patients not in shock or having a major heart attack has decreased by 34%. And, for seriously ill patients who are in shock or having a major heart attack prior to the procedure, the death rate has decreased by 20% since 2003.
During Fiscal Year 2007 (Oct. 1, 2006 - Sept. 30, 2007) there were 14,063 Massachusetts hospital admissions in which at least one PCI was performed…
Two reports, one detailing mortality rates for adults undergoing cardiac bypass surgery, and another documenting mortality rates following patients who have undergone treatment to clear a blocked coronary artery, show that the risk of dying in the immediate aftermath of such procedures has decreased significantly over the past five years.
The data, covering procedures performed during Fiscal Year 2007 were analyzed by Mass-DAC, a data coordinating center operated by Harvard Medical School's Department of Health Care Policy, and released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (DPH) Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality.
"Massachusetts has some of best cardiac surgical care in the nation," said Paul Dreyer, DPH Director of Health Care Safety and Quality. "The data contained in these reports are good news for patients, and a testament to continued commitment to improved health care quality in our hospitals."
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Most Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) involve inserting a catheter into a coronary artery and inflating a balloon to relieve a blockage that is impeding blood flow needed for healthy heart function. Such a procedure, commonly known as angioplasty, is often performed on patients at high risk of, or who are having, a heart attack.
In Massachusetts, 22 hospitals are licensed to perform PCI. The data released today cover procedures performed on two categories of patients: those who are not in shock or having a major heart attack prior to the procedure, and those who are. Since the first year of data collection in 2003, the death rate for PCI patients not in shock or having a major heart attack has decreased by 34%. And, for seriously ill patients who are in shock or having a major heart attack prior to the procedure, the death rate has decreased by 20% since 2003.
During Fiscal Year 2007 (Oct. 1, 2006 - Sept. 30, 2007) there were 14,063 Massachusetts hospital admissions in which at least one PCI was performed…
