Quality and Outcomes Reports - Herma Heart Center

Surgical survival by procedure

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 100 percent 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 and families: 

  • 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.

Referring physicians:

  • Fill out and fax a referral form prior to sending the patient to Children's Hospital for outpatient ancillary services or a specialty clinic visit. 
  • Forward any pertinent patient documentation, including test results, to the specialty physician's office prior to the patient's visit.
  • Referring physicians can access our specialists for consultation or transport 24 hours a day. Call our physician referral line at (800) 266-0366.  
  • Health care providers from outside of our southeastern Wisconsin service area are encouraged to use our web-based
    e-Consult service. This service is available for non-urgent patient cases only and gives providers access to our specialists to review patient cases, obtain medical advice or second opinions, and receive care recommendations for rare symptoms and illnesses.
    e-Consult is not to be used by the general public, parents/guardians or families.
  • Care guidelines for medical professionals
  • Educational materials
  • Pocket Directory

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