Torrance Memorial Among Best In State For Heart Surgery

A study published April 29, 2005, by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) found that Torrance Memorial was one of eight hospitals in California that achieved "Better Than Expected Mortality Rates" following heart bypass surgery during the three-year study period of 2000-2002.

This study represents a trend in the collection of healthcare quality data and its use by consumers when making critical healthcare decisions. In fact, this study has set the stage for mandatory reporting of heart bypass surgery outcomes by hospitals and surgeons to begin in 2006.

"We are extremely proud of the dedicated work of Torrance Memorial staff, physicians and surgeons and their commitment to providing excellent care to our patients," said Torrance Memorial's President and CEO George Graham. "It is this dedication that has placed us in the company of select few quality health care organizations."

The seven other hospitals named as receiving "Better than Expected Mortality Rates," were Summit Medical Center, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Mercy General Hospital, Sequoia Hospital, Mills-Peninsula Hospital and Sutter Memorial Hospital.

The study (published on www.oshpd.ca.gov) represents 77 percent of the heart surgeries performed in the state. The research model adjusts for differences in patient severity and complications between hospitals by calculating an "Expected Mortality Rate" and comparing it to actual mortality rates.

While the "Expected Mortality Rate" at Torrance Memorial was 3.5 percent, the actual rate was 2 percent. The difference was significantly better than most other hospitals in the state.

The three-year analysis includes more than 57,000 heart bypass surgeries, making it one of the largest public reporting programs on heart bypass surgery outcomes in the United States. Among California hospitals that did not participate in the study, the in-hospital death rate was 3.35 percent. Hospitals that did participate had an overall in-hospital death rate of 2.61 percent.

OSHPD is a state agency that plans for and supports the development of a health care delivery system that meets the current and future needs of Californians. OSHPD conducts studies on access, cost and quality and is responsible for reporting risk-adjusted hospital outcomes data.

Torrance Memorial Medical Center is a 377-bed, community medical center established in 1925 to serve the South Bay and Peninsula communities.

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