Pictured from left: Julie Sellars of Cleveland Clinic; Lars Svensson, MD, Director, Center for Aortic Surgery, Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at Cleveland Clinic; Martin LeBoutillier, MD, Cardiac Surgeon at The Chester County Hospital; Dan Towarnicke of Cleveland Clinic; and H.L. Perry Pepper, President of The Chester County Hospital.

2008 Cardiothoracic Surgery Outcomes Released

The Chester County Hospital has completed its third year of affiliation with Cleveland Clinic's Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Year three marked even further collaboration and integration of clinical practices at The Chester County Hospital. Now, patients in southeastern Pennsylvania have access to the latest techniques and technologies for cardiac and thoracic care - close to home.

To the health benefit of our patients, The Chester County Hospital's affiliation with Cleveland Clinic in Cardiac Surgery means there is mutual synergy between cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiovascular radiologists at both institutions. It enhances opportunities to provide new treatments and therapies to patients as well as to accelerate mutual accomplishments in cardiac care. "This has been a remarkable relationship which in a very real sense is a collaborative effort in improving patient care and educating health professionals," notes H.L. Perry Pepper, Hospital President and CEO. "To have access to state-of-the-art cardiovascular care such as this - in a community setting - is unprecedented."

Bruce Lytle, MD, Chairman of Cleveland Clinic's Syndell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute, says, "We evaluate every step in the process of care and make sure everything works together in a very synchronized and team-like manner. When a team works together and they all do the same thing, quality is better."

On April 17, The Chester County Hospital welcomed three representatives of Cleveland Clinic (photo below) for Grand Rounds, which included educational lectures and the public release of the Hospital's 2008 cardiothoracic surgery outcomes. The Outcomes 2008 booklet contains a summary of surgical and medical trends and approaches, as well as data on patient volumes and statistics.

"Today in medicine, the pursuit of quality is one of our greatest movements," says Martin LeBoutillier, III, MD, Lead Surgeon for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at The Chester County Hospital. "Healthcare consumers now shop quality, fully understanding that the experience, the outcome and the level of satisfaction vary from one institution to another."

In 2008, The CardioVascular Center (CVC) of The Chester County Hospital saw 211 cases, of which 163 were cardiac cases. In 2008, 9% of the cardiac procedures were urgent or an emergency. For the second consecutive time, Independence Blue Cross recognized the CVC by designating it as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care. This designation reflects the CVC's demonstrated commitment to quality care, which results in better outcomes for its cardiac patients.

Last year, the volume of thoracic (lung) surgical procedures increased 63% from 19 cases in 2007 to 31 cases in 2008. As our population ages, and the baby boomer generation passes into their 60's and 70's, the number of patients developing diseases of the chest, unrelated to heart and great vessels, has been on the rise. Over the last 50 years, the deadliest of these has been an increase in the number of patients developing and dying from lung cancer. The ChesterCountyHospital is able to provide the full spectrum of lung surgery through minimally invasive incisions to minimize patient discomfort.

Dr. LeBoutillier adds, "Several years ago and on its own initiative, the CVC launched an ongoing program to identify quality measures, assess them, and take action in areas where we felt we could improve." The Joint Commission awarded The Chester County Hospital six Gold Seals of Approval™ for healthcare quality last year. Disease-specific Care Certifications were earned for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke, in addition to hip and knee replacement and wound care. The certifications recognize the Hospital for its excellent processes and its ability to continually evaluate and improve care. "Especially gratifying is what our numbers represent - the many men and women whose lives we have touched and whose hearts we have saved," says LeBoutillier.

The Outcomes book provides an overview of the Hospital's Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery outcomes, as well as statistics on coronary disease, valve surgery and innovations in technology and surgical options. To read the 2008 Outcomes book, visit theThe CardioVascular Center at The Chester County Hospital.

Last Updated: 7/20/2009