ALBANY – A groundbreaking state study of pediatric heart surgery in New York shows University Hospital of Brooklyn had the worst mortality rate in the state – in a program that has since been halted.
The state Health Department’s report covering the years 1997-1999 summarizes risk factors and outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing surgery to correct congenital heart defects.
According to the report, 11 out of 92 children who underwent congenital heart surgery at University Hospital of Brooklyn during the study period died.
The hospital’s mortality rate when adjusted for risk was 17.08 percent, the highest in the state and significantly higher than the 5.35 percent statewide rate.
University Hospital of Brooklyn spokesman Ron Najman said concerned hospital officials several years ago decided to close to the pediatric cardiac program and divert patients to Columbia Presbyterian.
Long Island Jewish Medical Center of Queens, with an 8.62 percent risk-adjusted mortality rate, was the only other hospital of the seven in the city that perform heart surgeries on kids that was above the statewide rate.
By contrast, Bellevue Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian had the lowest mortality rates in the state.
Meanwhile, 17 pediatric heart surgeries were performed at Bellevue, with no deaths occurring.