Orlando Health Receives Highest Quality Rating for Heart Care and Cancer Care

Orlando Health received an Overall 3 Star Rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons for quality care provided to patients undergoing bypass surgery and lobectomy for lung cancer.
 
The 3 Star Rating, the highest mark, is a quality score based on hospital statistics and outcomes in the Society’s National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database and the Society’s General Thoracic Database. Only ten percent of hospitals receive a 3 Star Rating.
 
Orlando Health’s cardiac surgery performance met the criteria for the highest quality level during the most recent evaluation period — January 2014 through December 2014.

“The 3 Star Rating means we are in the top tier for quality in the delivery of cardiovascular care in comparison to all programs nationwide,” said Jeffrey Bott, MD, thoracic surgery chair, Orlando Regional Medical Center, a part of Orlando Health, and cardiothoracic surgeon, Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute.  “The achievement is a demonstration of our commitment to be the best we can be and remain a leader in cardiac care.”
 
The bypass surgery rating reflects the daily contributions of the Heart Institute’s team of clinicians and the continuous quality improvement efforts of a voluntary, self-run quality council.
 
“The Heart Institute’s council is made up of nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, infection control specialists, risk managers, administrators, doctors and other staff working together for continued quality improvement,” said Dr. Bott. “The council’s work includes initiatives and care reviews for each of our processes including pre-surgical preparation, surgical management, avoidance of complications and death and post-surgical medical management."
 
The Overall 3 Star Rating for bypass surgery represents four areas of quality outcomes:

1. Absence of Mortality (Deaths)
2. Absence of Morbidity (Complications)
3. Use of Internal Mammary Arteries (Arteries located in the chest and commonly used in bypass surgery because they have been shown to have the best long-term results.)
4. Medications (Patients are discharged with proper medications and instructions.)

The cardiac database was established in 1989 as an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety among cardiothoracic surgeons. The Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, now contains more than 7 million surgical records, represents an estimated 90 percent of all adult cardiac surgery centers across the United States. The thoracic surgery program at UF-Health Cancer Center - Orlando Health has participated in The Society for Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Database since 2007.
 
“By voluntarily submitting and analyzing our results with lung cancer surgery and other procedures performed, we consistently look for opportunities to improve our outcomes and provide a better and safe patient experience,” said Luis Herrera, MD, thoracic surgeon, UF Health Cancer Center - Orlando Health. “Achieving a 3 star rating in lobectomy for lung cancer reflects the dedication and collaborative approach to the surgical care of lung cancer patients.”
 
The Overall 3 Star Rating for lobectomy represents three areas of quality outcomes:

1. Absence of Mortality (Deaths)
2. Absence of Morbidity (Complications)
3. Achieving a high proportion of surgery using a minimally invasive approach. 

The UF Health Cancer Center - Orlando Health successfully performed over 79 percent of lung cancer surgeries using a robotic or a less invasive approach. This decreased pain, length of stay and complications for patients resulting in a safer surgery and quicker overall recovery.