Quality Reports - Herma Heart Center

Catheterizations and Electrophysiology Studies - Volume

Why we measure it - It's important to patients and families that we use the least invasive procedure necessary to treat the heart defect. We are a leader in the use of trans catheterization to close atrial, ventricular and arterial level defects. Research shows that physicians and hospitals that treat a large number of patients gain experience and therefore tend to provide better care and have improved outcomes for treatments and procedures. This, in addition to our innovative approach, has led us to have only a third of the published complications of other centers with similar volumes.

What this means - Catheterization procedures are a way to diagnose and treat some heart defects while avoiding surgery. Cardiac electrophysiology is the study of the heart's electrical system. Some electrophysiology studies are performed in order to diagnose heart rhythm problems and conditions, while others are done to access the heart for treatment or correction of certain conditions. Diagnostic procedures we perform range from trans catheter diagnostic mapping to cryoablation to radio frequency mapping. We perform many therapeutic procedures such as stent placement, blade procedures, ventricular septal defect closures, fistula modification and angioplasty. Our catheterization volumes have decreased slightly as Cardiac MRI, a non-invasive tool, has replaced the need for catheterization procedures in certain cases. 

About the data - This data reflects diagnostic, therapeutic and electrophysiology procedures captured in our billing system in years 2006-2008.

Related dimensions of care:

What we're doing to provide the best care:

• We expanded with an additional cath lab and formed a hybrid suite (combined operating room and cath lab) with the hospital tower construction completed in spring 2009. By bringing minimally invasive procedures to the operating room we will improve outcomes and reduce stress on patients.
• We continue to train future pediatric cardiologists in our fellowship program, which involves training in hemodynamics, and are actively recruiting additional pediatric cardiologists to care for the ever-increasing number of patients who seek our care.
• We have a very low staff turnover rate in the cath lab, which means we have a lot of experience in managing and treating pediatric patients of all age ranges.
• We currently are involved in a number of research trials such as atrial septal defect closure devices, vascular closure techniques and stroke and migraine trials.

Patients/Families - In order for us to see the large number of patients who seek our care:

• If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, please call Central Scheduling at (877) 607-5280 or (414) 607-5280 as soon as possible to reschedule so another child can be seen.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment so we can gather needed information from you before you see the doctor.
• Bring the name, address, phone and fax numbers of your primary care and/or referring doctor so we can update them appropriately on your care.
• Bring a full list of the medications your child is taking including over-the-counter medicines such as vitamins and supplements.

If you have questions about this data or information, e-mail us or call (414) 266-6726.