Mortality, CABG Surgery, Risk-Adjusted Rate, 2008

Mortality rate is the percentage of patients who died before being discharged from the hospital following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for both elective and emergent procedures. All surgical procedures involve some risk. Additionally, all patients have their own particular risk factors such as previous medical and family history, current state of overall health, how long they have had their coronary disease, how long it has taken between onset of symptoms to treatment in an acute situation, and many others. Mortality rates for a hospital can be impacted by many things. For example, if a hospital does a low volume of this particular type of surgery, even one unavoidable death can make a significant impact on their mortality rate.

Results for this measure refer to the percentage of patients in Washington State that died during or following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The statewide average has decreased from 2.5% in 2004, to 2.2% in 2008. Overall, hospitals in Washington State are doing a very good job in keeping their mortality rates low, and are consistent with the national averages. Individual hospital results for Washington State in 2008 range from a low of 0.0% to a high of 10.6%. When adjusted for high risk cases, all but two hospitals fall within the statewide average for 2008.

Ask your surgeon about mortality rates for coronary artery bypass surgery at your hospital and specific risks associated with your particular case. Encourage them to ask about their COAP report regarding mortality rates so they know you care!

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