Jersey Shore continues to provide outstanding cardiac surgery services

The 2012 Cardiac Surgery in New Jersey report, recently released by the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDHSS), shows Jersey Shore University Medical Center continues to provide outstanding cardiac surgery services, building on its exceptional track record in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery mortality rates. Among high volume centers, Jersey Shore University Medical Center has the best outcomes.

Jersey Shore had among the lowest risk-adjusted operative mortality rates in the state (risk adjusted takes into account risk factors based on each patient's documented pre-surgical health condition). Jersey Shore's rate of 0.47 % fell well below the 2% state average. Also, in the 2012 study, Jersey Shore was shown to have the second highest volume in bypass procedures in the state, an important fact since studies show that hospitals with higher volumes and more experience produce better results.

"Our continued outstanding survival results are a reflection of the first rate expertise, professionalism, and collaboration of the entire team at Jersey Shore and throughout the Meridian CardioVascular Network," says Richard Neibart, M.D., chief of cardiac surgery. "I am very proud of the outstanding care provided by our physicians, Magnet award-winning nurses, dedicated technicians and professionals. Every day we set our goals higher, ensuring that our patients and our communities have access to the very best heart care, right here at Jersey Shore."

The State's Cardiac Surgery Report Card examines cardiac surgery data from among the 18 hospitals in the state that performed open-heart surgery in 2009. The state department's report summarizes the results of an analysis comparing the mortality or death rates of patients for the hospitals and physicians performing bypass surgery. The report is available on the department's web site, www.state.nj.us/health:

"I am proud of the leadership role Jersey Shore has played in setting the bar high for the state," says Dr. Neibart. "There can be no better outcome than when all New Jersey hospitals performing cardiac surgery are producing such phenomenal outcomes. These statistics continue to provide the public with more evidence that they do not need to travel to New York or Philadelphia for the very best in cardiac care - the best is right here in New Jersey."