This report summarizes the results of a study which compares patient mortality rates for the hospitals and physicians performing bypass surgery.
Patients facing bypass surgery, as well as their families, usually have many questions and concerns.
This guide answers some of those questions and provides comparative data on the performance of cardiac surgeons and hospitals offering cardiac surgery. We hope this guide will help consumers discuss their concerns and treatment options with their physicians. I would like to thank the Cardiovascular Health Advisory Panel for its ongoing commitment to this important project. The Data Quality Improvement Committee, with representatives from all the hospitals performing cardiac surgery, also has provided important assistance with this project. It provides mortality rates for the 13 hospitals and 50 physicians performing this common surgical procedure during 1996 and 1997.