Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital was once again awarded a 3-star rating for open heart surgery from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).
 

The latest quality rating is one of several for the hospital this year, which was has been designated for the second year in a row as a “Top Performer” by the hospital accrediting agency, Joint Commission. It’s also the second year in a row the hospital got top marks from STS for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The not-for-profit STS represents more than 6,800 surgeons, researchers and allied health care professionals dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.
 

Fresno Heart & Surgical’s STS performance rating was based on patient outcomes for coronary artery bypass surgeries performed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 in 2014. The composite rating consists of a weighted average of four categories: absence of operative mortality, absence of major morbidity, utilization of internal mammary artery and use of all evidence-based perioperative medications. Fresno Heart & Surgical’s performance in this area rates in the top tier of participating hospitals across the nation.
 

“Quality care and top patient experience is a continual focus among our staff and physician partners,” said Fresno Heart & Surgical CEO Wanda Holderman. “For our patients this kind of recognition is an assurance that expert surgeons, exceptionally skilled healthcare professionals and the highest standards of medical care are available close to home in Fresno.”
 

Fresno Heart & Surgical recently earned the top overall hospital safety score in a 5-county region from Consumer Reports. And Healthgrades, a nationally known healthcare ranking agency, has continually recognized Fresno Heart & Surgical for its surgical excellence and exceptional patient experience. In 2014, the hospital made Healthgrades “America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery” list for aortic aneurysm repair, carotid surgery and vascular bypass surgery.
 

Healthgrades has also given top five-star and special excellence awards to the hospital for bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal care, coronary intervention, and general surgery. The hospital is one of the few nationwide recognized for eight consecutive years by Healthgrades for delivering care that patients rate as exceptional.
 

Fresno Heart & Surgical is one of four acute-care hospitals in the Community Medical Centers’ healthcare system, which partners with UC San Francisco School of Medicine, among the nation’s top five medical schools.
 

Erin Kennedy reported this story. Reach her at MedWatchToday@communitymedical.org