ENGLEWOOD, N.J., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In the most recent report on cardiac bypass surgery issued by NJ's Department of Health and Senior Services, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has been found to have the lowest risk-adjusted mortality rate among the 16 New Jersey hospitals performing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries in 2001.
With a statewide average of 2.51%, Englewood's risk-adjusted mortality rate was 1.23%. It is the first year that the Medical Center, which launched its cardiac surgery program in July of 2000, was included in the annual study. The study took into account isolated CABG surgeries: bypass surgery that included no other major surgery during the same admission.
The Medical Center's risk-adjusted mortality rate was also noteworthy because of the high level of acutely ill patients it sees, as indicated by its expected patient mortality rate, 3.16%, one of the highest in the study. This rate anticipates results based on how ill the patient is. Factors taken into consideration were congestive heart failure, diabetes, severe lung disease, peripheral vascular disease, renal failure, arrhythmias, and cardiogenic shock.
Other open-heart procedures were not included in the risk-adjusted mortality rates because of their complexity. The cardiac surgery program at Englewood has also distinguished itself by its high proportion of highly complex cases, often accepting patients who have been turned away by other institutions. Only 52% of all open-heart surgeries performed at the Medical Center in 2001 were isolated CABGs, compared to the state average of 70% for all 16 programs.
"Our case mix includes a higher proportion of complex procedures than any other hospital in New Jersey, and is comparable to that of an academic tertiary referral center," said M. Arisin Ergin, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery. "Nearly half of our open-heart patients need valvular or aneurysm surgery, or aneurysm surgery in combination with their bypass.
"Moreover, many of these complex operations are performed on an emergency basis, and many are repeat surgeries referred by other hospitals in the states and even abroad," Dr. Ergin continued.
Dr. Ergin and Director of Cardiac Surgery Services Dr. James Klein have been with the cardiac surgery program since its inception as part of the Heart and Vascular Institute of New Jersey. "At Englewood, we have an extraordinary team of surgeons, perfusionists, nurses, technologists, and critical care staff. This has allowed us to accept and successfully perform the most complex cases, even with very high risk patients," explained Dr. Ergin. "We are especially proud to have the accomplishments of so many dedicated and skilled people be recognized by this report card."
"The cardiac program has distinguished itself in many ways, including its commitment to bloodless medicine and surgery," said Douglas Duchak, president of the Medical Center. "In March 2000, the Medical Center was awarded a special license to perform cardiac surgery as part of a demonstration project for bloodless medicine and surgery. Thanks to an institution-wide Standard of Care that includes a pro-active approach to limiting blood transfusions as much as possible, 89% of bypass surgery at Englewood is performed transfusion-free."
The Medical Center, an international leader in bloodless medicine and surgery for 10 years, is home to the New Jersey Institute for the Advancement of Bloodless Medicine and Surgery.
Possible deleterious effects on the immune system, the increased likelihood of prolonged hospitalization, chronic blood shortages, cost, safety, and the excessive use of blood transfusions in general are significant medical issues related to blood transfusions.
Englewood Hospital and Medical CenterCONTACT: Kathleen Mathieu, +1-201-939-1844, for Englewood Hospital andMedical Center
Web site: http://englewoodhospital.com/