Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons Quality Collaborative
Contact:
Rozanne Darland
CQI Administrator
313-448-5573
rdarland@bcbsm.com
Coronary artery disease claims nearly 500,000 American lives each year. Over the past 10 years, there has been a movement within the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons to develop a quality initiative in cardiac surgery, which would be a model for quality initiatives in general thoracic surgery as well. This has been a voluntary effort among surgeons in Michigan who practice cardiac surgery at Michigan hospitals.
The MSTCVS CQI is a nationally recognized collaboration between the society and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. It aims to reduce the risk of complications and improve treatment methods for cardiothoracic surgery. The collaborative works with all adult cardiac surgery programs in Michigan to share best practices and establish optimal surgical care processes. Quality improvement initiatives are based on clinical research and evidence-based cardiac surgery practices and guidelines.
Goals
- Reduce the risk of complications from cardiothoracic surgery
- Improve treatment methods for cardiothoracic surgery
Results
- At targeted sites, the use of internal mammary artery grafts increased from 82.0 percent to 92.7 percent.
- Prolonged ventilation (mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours after surgery) at targeted sites has decreased from 19 percent to nearly 14 percent.
- Appropriate beta-blocker use (to help control heart rate during surgery) increased to 5 percent above the national average
