Medical Center Expresses Concerns About State Cardiac Study Results
The California CABGs Outcomes Reporting Program (CCORP) has issued a two-year report based on 2003-2004 data, which purported "worse-than-expected" outcomes for coronary artery bypass graft surgery at UCSF. In a July 13 message to the Medical Center community, Chief Operating Officer Tomi Ryba explained UCSF's concerns about the CCORP report, citing the inclusion of highly complex cases in the data leading to a higher reported mortality rate for UCSF.
Coincidentally, the report was released the same day as the U.S. News & World Report survey on America's Best Hospitals, in which the UCSF Medical Center was ranked 7th out of 5,462 hospitals nationwide.
July 13, 2007 Dear Colleagues, The California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program (CCORP) is issuing a two-year report today, based on 2003-2004 data. In this report, UCSF Medical Center and one of its renowned cardiac surgeons are listed as "worse than expected" for risk-adjusted coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) outcomes. At UCSF, our surgeons provide care to the sickest of the sick and handle some of the most complicated cases. In fact, many of our patients arrive from other health care facilities that are unable to manage the complexity of their conditions. We consistently rank highly nationwide in providing that care. Coincidentally, U.S. News & World Report is also releasing its "America's Best Hospitals" survey today, in which UCSF Medical Center rose to No. 7 nationwide and cardiac surgery rose into the top 20. We have actively appealed the CCORP report, as have many other prominent medical centers throughout California, because we, as a group, believe that it does not accurately reflect the type of care we provide. Specifically, we believe that several of the UCSF patients included in this report should have been excluded. Their inclusion led to what we consider an erroneous mortality rate of 5.45 percent, in contrast to a statewide average of 3.08 percent. Without them, UCSF would have been in the "expected" range. In addition, the report implies that UCSF had higher than expected mortality rates for the full two-year period. In fact, in 2003, the outcomes for UCSF and all of its surgeons were listed in the "expected" range. More recent UCSF data collected for upcoming CCORP reports show what we consider to be a more accurate portrait of UCSF's excellence in the field. The 2005 data show an unadjusted CABG mortality of merely 0.8 percent. In addition, for the first six months of 2006, the unadjusted rate was 1.4 percent. Due to the complexity of our patients' medical conditions, these numbers will be even more favorable when adjusted for patients' risk factors. The UCSF Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and UCSF Medical Center are dedicated to excellence in the care of patients. This is a mission we have always held and one we will continue to strive to meet. Sincerely, Tomi Ryba, Chief Operating Officer UCSF Medical Center Related Links: UCSF Medical Center Ranked Among Top 10 "Best Hospitals" in Nation UCSF News Services, July 13, 2007
July 13, 2007 Dear Colleagues, The California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program (CCORP) is issuing a two-year report today, based on 2003-2004 data. In this report, UCSF Medical Center and one of its renowned cardiac surgeons are listed as "worse than expected" for risk-adjusted coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) outcomes. At UCSF, our surgeons provide care to the sickest of the sick and handle some of the most complicated cases. In fact, many of our patients arrive from other health care facilities that are unable to manage the complexity of their conditions. We consistently rank highly nationwide in providing that care. Coincidentally, U.S. News & World Report is also releasing its "America's Best Hospitals" survey today, in which UCSF Medical Center rose to No. 7 nationwide and cardiac surgery rose into the top 20. We have actively appealed the CCORP report, as have many other prominent medical centers throughout California, because we, as a group, believe that it does not accurately reflect the type of care we provide. Specifically, we believe that several of the UCSF patients included in this report should have been excluded. Their inclusion led to what we consider an erroneous mortality rate of 5.45 percent, in contrast to a statewide average of 3.08 percent. Without them, UCSF would have been in the "expected" range. In addition, the report implies that UCSF had higher than expected mortality rates for the full two-year period. In fact, in 2003, the outcomes for UCSF and all of its surgeons were listed in the "expected" range. More recent UCSF data collected for upcoming CCORP reports show what we consider to be a more accurate portrait of UCSF's excellence in the field. The 2005 data show an unadjusted CABG mortality of merely 0.8 percent. In addition, for the first six months of 2006, the unadjusted rate was 1.4 percent. Due to the complexity of our patients' medical conditions, these numbers will be even more favorable when adjusted for patients' risk factors. The UCSF Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and UCSF Medical Center are dedicated to excellence in the care of patients. This is a mission we have always held and one we will continue to strive to meet. Sincerely, Tomi Ryba, Chief Operating Officer UCSF Medical Center Related Links: UCSF Medical Center Ranked Among Top 10 "Best Hospitals" in Nation UCSF News Services, July 13, 2007