After concerns were raised in the 2021 review, Morrison Hospital in Swansea continues to improve heart surgery, health officials said. The Swansea Bay University Health Board took immediate action at that time and then further action.
The Cardiac Surgery Department is currently performing better than the national average on many specific indicators. However, one metric, postoperative mortality, was slightly higher than average, which could be explained by the unit’s higher rate of emergencies compared to planned surgeries, said Executive Medical. Director Richard Evans said.
A 2021 review of cardiac surgery found higher-than-expected mortality in a type of surgery called mitral valve surgery, higher rates of follow-up cardiac surgery due to hemorrhage and other causes, and infections in deep sternal wounds. high rates and high mortality after cardiac surgery. Surgical neuropathy and renal dysfunction.
In response, the Health Board ensured that only mitral valve specialist surgeons would perform this type of operation, and that more general operations would be performed only by consultants for the time being. Speaking in 2021, Dr. Evans took issue with the finding of infection in deep sternal wounds and said he felt the actual infection rate on this ward was lower.
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The Health Commission also consulted the Royal Society of Surgeons (RCS) to review the records of all patients who died after mitral valve surgery. An overall review of cardiac surgery services was also conducted.
The latest indicators show that the unit has a rate of deep sternum wounds three times lower than the national average, and a rate of postoperative neurological dysfunction almost two times lower. And the percentage of patients who have to return to the operating room to deal with bleeding problems is four times lower than the national average. “In the last 12 months he’s had 11 and zero returns to theaters,” Dr. Evans said.
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He added that after creating a virtual dashboard to display the metrics and the latest results, the staff became more aware of the metrics and the latest results. Oversight by an organization called the Welsh Health Specialized Services Commission, which commissions cardiac surgical services in Wales, has decreased in frequency and is likely to decrease further, Dr Evans said.
Health Commission Chief Executive Mark Hackett asked about the slightly higher overall mortality rate in Morriston’s Cardiac Surgery Unit compared to the national average. Dr. Evans explained that the department is “focused” on emergencies compared to elective or planned surgeries. “So, based on the relative risk of emergency surgery, are you okay?” Mr. Hackett asked. “Yes,” Dr. Evans replied.
In a report submitted to the Health Commission, the RCS said it was impressed by the “significant numbers of clear improvements” and recommended that trainees resume operations.
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