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Upstate News

University Hospital ranks as one of best in state for children’s heart surgery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Out of 16 hospitals in New York that perform pediatric heart surgery, University Hospital has the second lowest patient mortality rate, according to a state Health Department report.

University Hospital’s risk adjusted mortality rate was 3.35 percent—below the state average of 5.35 percent. The hospital performed 368 cases between 1997 and 1999. University Hospital is the only hospital performing pediatric cardiac surgery in Central New York.

“These results can be directly related to cardiac surgeon Dr. George Alfieris, the nurses, anesthesiologists and other members of the surgical team as well as the pediatric cardiologists and intensivists who work on these cases,” said University Hospital Executive Director Ben Moore. “These medical professionals are extremely dedicated to their job and in providing the best medical care for our youngest patients.”

The risk adjusted mortality rate is used to estimate what the mortality rate would be if each hospital cared for the same patient population. New York state has released mortality rates for heart surgery for more than 10 years as a way for hospitals to examine the quality of the care they provide and to identify opportunities to improve.

Between 1997 and 1999, 4,710 pediatric cardiac surgeries were performed in New York.

For a copy of the report, go to the state Health Department’s web site at: www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/heart/pediatric/toc.htm