Shahian DM, Jacobs JP, Edwards FH, Brennan JM, Dokholyan RS, Prager RL, Wright CD, Peterson ED, McDonald DE, Grover FL. The society of thoracic surgeons national database.
Heart 2013;
99:1494-501. [PMID:
23335498 DOI:
10.1136/heartjnl-2012-303456]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database collects detailed clinical information on patients undergoing adult cardiac, paediatric and congenital cardiac, and general thoracic surgical operations. These data are used to support risk-adjusted, nationally benchmarked performance assessment and feedback; voluntary public reporting; quality improvement initiatives; guideline development; appropriateness determination; shared decision making; research using cross-sectional and longitudinal registry linkages; comparative effectiveness studies; government collaborations including postmarket surveillance; regulatory compliance and reimbursement strategies.
INTERVENTIONS
All database participants receive feedback reports which they may voluntarily share with their hospitals or payers, or publicly report. STS analyses are regularly used as the basis for local, regional and national quality improvement efforts.
POPULATION
More than 90% of adult cardiac programmes in the USA participate, as do the majority of paediatric cardiac programmes, and general thoracic participation continues to increase. Since the inception of the Database in 1989, more than 5 million patient records have been submitted.
BASELINE DATA
Each of the three subspecialty databases includes several hundred variables that characterise patient demographics, diagnosis, medical history, clinical risk factors and urgency of presentation, operative details and postoperative course including adverse outcomes.
DATA CAPTURE
Data are entered by trained data abstractors and by the care team, using detailed data specifications for each element.
DATA QUALITY
Quality and consistency checks assure accurate and complete data, missing data are rare, and audits are performed annually of selected participant sites.
ENDPOINTS
All major outcomes are reported including complications, status at discharge and mortality.
DATA ACCESS
Applications for STS Database participants to use aggregate national data for research are available at http://www.sts.org/quality-research-patient-safety/research/publications-and-research/access-data-sts-national-database.
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