Society of Thoracic Surgeons Ranks UMass Memorial in Highest Tier

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2010
Contact: Rob Brogna
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(774) 317-0422
Robert.brogna@umassmemorial.org
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Worcester, MA - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has once again awarded its highest designation - three stars - to the cardiac surgery program at UMass Memorial Medical Center, ranking the hospital among the top 12 percent of heart surgery programs nationwide.

The STS comprehensive rating system compares the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country. UMass Memorial is one of 1,000 participants in the STS cardiac surgery database. The program was also recognized with three stars for its cardiac surgery program in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

"The best outcomes for cardiac surgery patients require real coordination among team members so that patients can move seamlessly through the care process," noted Stanley Tam, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery. "It is evident by this great award that everyone here is on the same page, focused on clinical quality and outcomes."

The STS based its decision on an analysis of national data including the avoidance of morbidity and mortality in open heart surgery, use of medications and use of internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts - a conduit for open heart surgery - that have been known to improve patient care.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 5,400 surgeons, researchers and allied health professionals worldwide 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.

This award comes on the heels of a number of recognitions and quality awards received by the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial, including:

• UMass Memorial being named the number one hospital in Massachusetts and New England for surviving a heart attack according to a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
• UMass Memorial also ranks among the top five hospitals nationwide for surviving a heart attack for a second year in a row.
• The cardiac surgery program was a recipient of the 2009 Betsy Lehman Patient Safety Recognition Award from the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction, a program established under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and housed within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The program was recognized for their efforts in reducing health-care-associated infections while also promoting a culture of safety throughout their institutions.