St. Joseph’s Health Hospital announced its recognition as one of the top 10 hospitals in the United States for achieving the lowest 30-day mortality rates for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the years 2020-2023.
St. Joseph’s has the third lowest rate in New York state, after hospitals in New York City and Long Island.
CABG, commonly known as heart bypass surgery, is a procedure that improves blood flow to the heart by diverting blood around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries using a graft. This graft is typically a healthy blood vessel taken from the patient’s leg, arm, or chest. The surgery is vital for patients with severe coronary artery disease, aiming to reduce symptoms such as chest pain and decrease the risk of heart attacks.
The national 30-day mortality rate for CABG patients stands at 2.8%. St. Joseph’s Health has achieved a significantly lower rate of 1.5%, underscoring its commitment to exceptional cardiac care.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our exceptional cardiac team,” said Charles Lutz, cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute and co-medical director of cardiac surgery. “Our teamwork and commitment to excellence enable us to deliver the highest quality care and achieve remarkable patient outcomes.”