Dominican Hospital Receives National Recognition for Heart Bypass Surgery from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Dominican is one of only 82 medical facilities nationwide recognized with the highest possible rating for clinical excellence in coronary artery bypass surgery

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Dignity Health Dominican Hospital

Feb 01, 2017, 14:24 ET

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Feb. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has received a three-star rating for the quality of its coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the highest designation possible.

"Dominican Hospital's heart and vascular program delivers unsurpassed cardiac care to our patients, right here in our community," said Dominican Hospital President Nanette Mickiewicz, MD. "The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is considered one of the highest standards by which to evaluate cardiac surgery programs, and this recognition underscores the excellence of our surgical team."

The designation is the result of a comprehensive rating system that compares the quality of cardiac surgery programs in the majority of hospitals across the nation. The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) gathers information from more than 90 percent of the facilities that perform adult cardiac surgery in the United States. Of the 859 ACSD participants included in the most recent reporting period of July 2015-June 2016 for isolated CABG, just 82 received a three-star rating.

"Dominican Hospital's cardiac program is the most decorated in the Monterey Bay area, and treats the most complex cases," said Bilal Shafi, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon. "We deliver a comprehensive approach to care that leads to the best outcomes for our patients."

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons three-star rating is one of several recognitions Dominican's cardiac program has received recently:

Named Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures by Healthgrades® in 2016
Named Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Cardiac Surgery by Healthgrades® in 2016
Named Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures in 2016
Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Bypass Surgery by Healthgrades® in 2016
Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures by Healthgrades® for 3 Years in a Row (2014-2016)
Recipient of the Healthgrades 2016 Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award™
Recipient of the Healthgrades 2016 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™

Dominican Hospital's cardiac program offers comprehensive heart care, including prevention programs, diagnostic technology, and cutting-edge treatment. In addition to coronary bypass surgery, the cardiac surgery program offers open-heart surgery, valve and aortic repairs, aneurysm procedures, and minimally invasive techniques such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). For more information, call 831.462.7243 or visit dignityhealth.org/dominican/hearts.

About Dominican Hospital
Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has been caring for the Santa Cruz County community for 75 years. Dominican offers emergency services and is a Certified Stroke Center. Dominican's services include the only comprehensive Cancer Center in Santa Cruz County, a Total Joint Replacement program, advanced neurological and endoscopic services, and an expert heart and vascular team treating some of the most complex cardiac cases in the Monterey Bay area. Dominican has received national recognition for superior patient safety, cardiac care, and stroke treatment from Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Dominican also has received several awards for environmental excellence. To learn more, please visit our website: dignityhealth.org/dominican.