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Lookup NU author(s): John Hamilton
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Background. In the absence of reliable national data, we have collected results of all operations for congenital heart defects from five departments to assess mortality rates and compare them among surgeons and departments. Methods. Data relating to all operations (2,718) carried out at the five centers during a period from April 1, 1997 through March 31, 1999. Clearly defined criteria were agreed for the classification of patients into various subgroups. Results. The overall hospital mortality was 4.4% (95% confidence intervals 3.7%-5.3%). Mortality for open operations was 12.6% in neonates, 5.1% in infants, and 3.5% in children. Mortality rates were 1.1% for coarctation, 0.4% ventricular septal defect, 4.1% atrioventricular septal defect, 2.9% Fallot, 0.9% switch, and 15.6% truncus arteriosus. Although individual surgeons' mortality rates ranged from 1.8% to 7.5%, none of the 12 surgeons' data were above 95% confidence intervals. For individual surgeons, the change in mortality rates between the 2 years ranged between -3.3% and +3.8%. Conclusions. With 2 years' data available, estimates of mortality rates are more precise as reflected by tighter confidence intervals. There were relatively small data sets for individual hospitals and surgeons, which made statistical evaluation difficult. For setting standards, data from more departments for a longer period will be required. Statistical methods alone cannot be used as a sole arbiter of what is considered acceptable performance. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
Author(s): Stark JF, Gallivan S, Davis K, Hamilton JRL, Monro JL, Pollock JCS, Watterson KG
Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Publication status: Published
Conference Name: Annals of Thoracic Surgery: 37th Annual Meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Year of Conference: 2001
Pages: 169-174
ISSN: 0003-4975
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0003-4975(01)02689-3
DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(01)02689-3
Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item
ISBN: 15526259
