Quality Reports - Herma Heart Center

Surgical survival by Diagnosis 

Why we measure it - Overwhelmingly, survival is the first and most important statistic parents and others ask about. We measure survival rates for Non-neonatal Tetralogy Repair, Fontan Procedure and Transposition of the Great Arteries and compare ourselves to the national average to make sure we are providing excellent care.

What this means - Herma Heart Center at Children's Hospital has a consistently high early survival rate for all children undergoing heart surgery for select procedures.

About the data - This data reflects survival rates for patients undergoing congenital heart surgery for these select procedures compared to Pediatric Hospital Information System (PHIS) peers. PHIS hospitals represent other leading free-standing pediatric hospitals.

Related dimensions of care:

What we're doing to provide the best care:

• We have the only cardiothoracic surgeons in the state of Wisconsin with American Board of Thoracic Surgery Certificates in Congenital Heart Surgery.

• Timely clinical research impacts real time care for our patients. Novel modifications in preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative patient management play a key role in continuing to improve our outcomes. Some examples of our clinical research focused on postoperative care are:

  • Goal-directed postoperative management techniques ensure patients are recovering appropriately.
  • Reviewing and ensuring access to care across economic lines.
  • Routinely reviewing cardiac cases and looking at opportunity to improve care.
• We closely monitor any change we make to see if it affects outcomes positively or negatively, including changes in:
  • Operative technique.
  • Timing of surgery.
  • Postoperative care.
  • Communications among the health care team.
• We continue to improve heart/lung bypass techniques in the operating room.

Patients/Families - If your child is being treated for a heart defect:

• Make sure your child has a dental check-up before surgery and is free of mouth sores and infections.
• Talk with your doctor about the timing of immunizations related to surgery.
• Prepare your child mentally for the surgery and hospitalization. Ask for a Child Life Specialist and take a tour of the hospital.
• Be an advocate for your child. Participate in daily bedside clinical discussions, provide any information about your child that may be helpful to staff.
• Follow medical instructions fully and carefully before and after surgery.
• Ask questions if you don't understand the plan of care or if you are not sure how to care for your child at home.
• Attend any and all follow-up appointments.
• Protect your child from environmental risks such as second-hand smoke and other ill children.

If you have questions about this data or information, e-mail us or call (414) 266-6556.