CABG Mortality Inches Up Statewide

The mortality rate for coronary artery bypass graft surgeries in California is up slightly in 2010 versus 2009, but remains far lower than a decade ago, according to data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.

The average mortality rate from the CABG among the 121 reporting hospitals was 2% in 2010, up slightly from 1.9% in 2009, but down from 2.2% in 2008.

Altogether, 251 patients died in 2010 while undergoing a CABG procedure. According to OSHPD data, 12,548 CABG procedures were performed.

However, the overall mortality rate has dropped 31% since OSHPD began keeping records on the procedure in 2003, when it was close to 3%.

“California’s outstanding doctors, nurses and hospitals should be commended for these 

significant drops in patient mortality,” said OSHPD Director Robert P. David. “Through these reports, the healthcare system becomes more accountable and transparent to consumers, payers and employers as well as encouraging providers to improve their quality of care.”

One facility, Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, had a mortality well below the statewide average. Its observed mortality rate was 0.2%, and its risk-adjusted mortality rate was 0.28%.

Four hospitals had mortality rates significantly worse than the statewide average, with most in exurban or rural regions.

Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center in Lancaster had the highest mortality. It had an observed rate of 10% and an adjusted rate of 13.4%. A hospital spokesperson did not respond to a query seeking comment.

Palomar Pomerado Health System’s Downtown campus in Escondido had an observed mortality rate of 7.69% and an adjusted mortality rate of 8.89%.

“Any operative death is unfortunate,” Palomar Pomerado Health said in a prepared statement, and that each mortality is closely reviewed. 

However, the two-hospital system near San Diego observed that the data is “three years old and is based on administrative data rather than clinical data.” The statement also noted that it has made great strides in improving care with the opening of a new flagship facility near the Downtown campus.

Bakersfield Heart Hospital was the only cardiac specialty facility that had a worse-than-average score, with an observed mortality rate of 6.67% and an adjusted mortality rate of 6.86%. Its chief executive officer, Randall H. Rolfe, did not immediately respond to a query on Wednesday.

Kaweah Delta Hospital's observed mortality rate was 4.6% and its adjusted mortality rate was 4.18%.