Adult Cardiac Surgery Measures

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Composite Score

NQF #0696

NQF Status
Endorsed*

Date of Endorsement
1/26/11

Description
This multidimensional performance measure assesses surgical performance based on a combination of 11 NQF-endorsed CABG process and outcomes measures, grouped into four domains:

1. Perioperative medication domain, scored all-or-none and consisting of: 
 0127 – Preoperative beta blockade 
 0117 – Beta blockade at discharge 
 0116 – Anti-platelet medication at discharge 
 0118 – Anti-lipid treatment at discharge 

2. Operative care process domain 
 0134 – Use of an internal mammary artery in CABG 

3. Risk-adjusted operative mortality 
 0119 – Risk-adjusted operative mortality for CABG 

4. Risk-adjusted morbidity, scored any-or-none and consisting of: 
 0131 – Stroke/cerebrovascular accident 
 0115 – Surgical re-exploration 
 0130 – Deep sternal wound infection rate 
 0114 – Postoperative renal failure 
 0129 – Prolonged intubation (ventilation) 

Participants receive a score for each of the four domains, plus an overall composite score. The overall composite score was created by “rolling up” the four domain scores into a single number. In addition to receiving a numeric score, participants were assigned to rating categories designated as one (below average performance), two (average performance), and three (above average performance) stars.

*The STS star rating system was not eligible to be considered for NQF endorsement due to the fact that at the time of review, NQF did not have a process in place to endorse "reporting protocols."


Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Renal Failure

NQF #0114

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG (without pre-existing renal failure) who develop postoperative renal failure or require dialysis

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who develop postoperative renal failure or require dialysis

Numerator Time Window
During the hospitalization for surgery, which includes the entire postoperative period up to discharge, even if over 30 days

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months

Exclusions
Patients with documented history of renal failure, baseline serum creatinine ≥4.0; prior renal transplants are not considered preoperative renal failure unless since transplantation their Cr has been or is ≥4.0


Risk-Adjusted Surgical Re-exploration

NQF #0115

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who require a return to the operating room for bleeding with or without tamponade, graft occlusion, valve dysfunction, or other cardiac reason

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who require return to the operating room for mediastinal bleeding with or without tamponade, graft occlusion, valve dysfunction, or other cardiac reason

Numerator Time Window
During the hospitalization for surgery, which includes the entire postoperative period up to discharge, even if over 30 days

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG 

Denominator Time Window
12 months


Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for CABG

NQF #0119 

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the CABG was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure 

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure 

Numerator Time Window
During hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged 

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months


Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Prolonged Intubation (Ventilation)

NQF #0129

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11 

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who require intubation for more than 24 hours

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who require intubation > 24 hours 

Numerator Time Window
During the hospitalization for surgery, which includes the entire postoperative period up to discharge, even if over 30 days 

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months


Risk-Adjusted Deep Sternal Wound Infection

NQF #0130

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11 

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who, within 30 days postoperatively, develop deep sternal wound infection involving muscle, bone, and/for mediastinum requiring operative intervention

Numerator
Number of patients who, within 30 days postoperatively, develop deep sternal wound infection involving muscle, bone, and/or mediastinum requiring operative intervention

Must have all of the following conditions:

  • Wound opened with excision of tissue (I&D) or re-exploration of mediastinum
  • Positive culture unless patient on antibiotics at time of culture or no culture obtained
  • Treatment with antibiotics beyond perioperative prophylaxis

Numerator Time Window
Within 30 days postoperatively

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months


Risk-Adjusted Stroke/Cerebrovascular Accident

NQF #0131

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who have a postoperative stroke (i.e., any confirmed neurological deficit of abrupt onset caused by a disturbance in blood supply to the brain) that did not resolve within 24 hours

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who have a postoperative stroke (i.e., any confirmed neurological deficit of abrupt onset caused by a disturbance in blood supply to the brain) that did not resolve within 24 hours

Numerator Time Window
During the hospitalization for surgery, which includes the entire postoperative period up to discharge, even if over 30 days

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months


Risk-Adjusted Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Readmission Rate

NQF #2514

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/8/16

Description
Risk-adjusted percentage of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 and older who undergo isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and are discharged alive but have a subsequent acute care hospital inpatient admission within 30 days of the date of discharge from the CABG hospitalization.

Numerator
Number of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 and older who undergo isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and are discharged alive but have a subsequent acute care hospital inpatient admission within 30 days of the date of discharge from the CABG hospitalization.

Numerator Time Window
Within 30 days of the date of discharge from the index CABG hospitalization

Denominator
Number of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 and older who undergo isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during the designated 3-year measurement period and are discharged alive

Denominator Time Window
Designated 3-year measurement period


Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Aortic Valve Replacement

NQF #0120

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing AVR who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator Time Window
During hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated AVR surgery

Denominator Time Window
36 months


Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Mitral Valve Replacement

NQF #0121

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) replacement who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing MV Replacement who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator Time Window
During hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated MV Replacement surgery

Denominator Time Window
36 months


Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Mitral Valve Repair

NQF #1501

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) repair who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing MV Repair who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator Time Window
During hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated MV Repair surgery

Denominator Time Window
36 months


Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) Composite Score

NQF #2561

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
11/07/14

Description
STS AVR Composite Score comprises two domains consisting of six measures: Domain 1) Absence of Operative Mortality – Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience operative mortality. Operative mortality is defined as death during the same hospitalization as surgery or after discharge but within 30 days of the procedure; and Domain 2) Absence of Major Morbidity – Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience any major morbidity. Major morbidity is defined as having at least one of the following adverse outcomes: 1. reoperations for any cardiac reason, 2. renal failure, 3. deep sternal wound infection, 4. prolonged ventilation/intubation, and 5. cerebrovascular accident/permanent stroke. All measures are based on audited clinical data collected in a prospective registry and are risk-adjusted.

Numerator and Denominator Statements and Time Periods
Due to the complex methodology used to construct the composite measure, it is impractical to separately discuss the numerator and denominator. The following discussion describes how each domain score is calculated and how these are combined into an overall composite score.

The STS AVR Composite Score comprises two domains consisting of six individual measures:

  1. Absence of Operative Mortality
           NQF # 0120 Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for AVR
  2. Absence of Major Morbidity, scored any-or-none. The measures used are the same morbidity outcomes included in NQF #0696 STS CABG Composite Score.
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Stroke/Cerebrovascular Accident
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Surgical Re-exploration
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Deep Sternal Wound Infection Rate
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Renal Failure
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Prolonged Intubation (Ventilation)

Participants receive a score for each of the two domains, plus an overall composite score. The overall composite score is created by “rolling up” the domain scores into a single number. In addition to receiving a numeric score, participants are assigned to rating categories designated by one star (below average performance), two stars (average performance), or three stars (above average performance).

Patient Population: The analysis population consists of adult patients aged 18 years or older who undergo isolated AVR surgery

Time Period: 3 years

Data Completeness Requirement: Participants are excluded from the analysis if they have fewer than 10 isolated AVR procedures in the patient population


Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement Composite Score

NQF #3031

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
1/25/17

Description
The STS Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement (MVRR) Composite Score measures surgical performance for isolated MVRR with or without concomitant tricuspid valve repair (TVr), surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), or repair of atrial septal defect (ASD), and comprises two domains consisting of six measures:

Domain 1 – Absence of Operative Mortality – Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience operative mortality. Operative mortality is defined as death before hospital discharge or within 30 days of the operation. 

Domain 2 – Absence of Major Morbidity – Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience any major morbidity. Major morbidity is defined as the occurrence of any one or more of the following major complications: 1. Prolonged ventilation, 2. Deep sternal wound infection, 3. Permanent stroke, 4. Renal failure, and 5.    Reoperations for bleeding, prosthetic or native valve dysfunction, and other cardiac reasons, but not for other non-cardiac reasons.

All measures are based on audited clinical data collected in a prospective registry and are risk-adjusted.

Numerator and Denominator Statements and Time Periods
Due to the complex methodology used to construct the composite measure, it is impractical to separately discuss the numerator and denominator. The following discussion describes how each domain score is calculated and how these are combined into an overall composite score.

The STS Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement (MVRR) Composite Score comprises two domains consisting of six measures:

Domain 1 – Absence of Operative Mortality
Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience operative mortality. Operative mortality is defined as death before hospital discharge or within 30 days of the operation. 

Domain 2 – Absence of Major Morbidity
Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience any major morbidity. Major morbidity is defined as the occurrence of any one or more of the following major complications: 

  • Prolonged ventilation
  • Deep sternal wound infection
  • Permanent stroke
  • Renal failure, and 
  • Reoperations for bleeding, prosthetic or native valve dysfunction, and other cardiac reasons, but not for other non-cardiac reasons.

Participants receive a score for each of the two domains, plus an overall composite score. The overall composite score is created by “rolling up” the domain scores into a single number. In addition to receiving a numeric score, participants are assigned to rating categories designated by the following: 1 star – lower-than-expected performance; 2 stars – as-expected performance; or 3 stars – higher-than-expected performance.

Patient Population: The analysis population consists of adult patients aged 18 years or older who undergo isolated MVRR with or without concomitant tricuspid valve repair (TVr), surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), or repair of atrial septal defect (ASD).

Time Period: 3 years

Data Completeness Requirement: Participants are excluded from the analysis if they have fewer than 36 isolated MVRR procedures in the patient population.


Anti-Platelet Medication at Discharge

NQF #0116

NQF Status
Endorsed (Reserve Status)

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who were discharged on anti-platelet medication 

Numerator 
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who were discharged on anti-platelet medication

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months

Exclusions
Cases are removed from the denominator if there was an in-hospital mortality or if discharge aspirin OR discharge ADP inhibitor OR other discharge anti-platelet was contraindicated


Beta Blockade at Discharge

NQF #0117

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
1/31/12 

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who were discharged on beta blockers

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who were discharged on beta blockers

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG 

Denominator Time Window
12 months

Exclusions
Cases are removed from the denominator if there was an in-hospital mortality or if discharge beta blocker was contraindicated


Anti-Lipid Treatment at Discharge

NQF #0118

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who were discharged on a lipid-lowering statin

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who were discharged on a lipid-lowering statin

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months 

Exclusions
Cases are removed from the denominator if there was an in-hospital mortality or if discharge anti-lipid treatment was contraindicated


Preoperative Beta Blockade

NQF #0127

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
1/31/12

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who received beta blockers within 24 hours preceding surgery 

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who received beta blockers within 24 hours preceding surgery

Numerator Time Window
Within 24 hours preceding surgery

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months

Exclusions
Cases are removed from the denominator if preoperative beta blocker was contraindicated or if the clinical status of the patient was emergent or emergent salvage prior to entering the operating room


Use of Internal Mammary Artery in CABG

NQF #0134

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
1/31/12 

Description
Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing isolated CABG who received an internal mammary artery (IMA) graft

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing isolated CABG who received an internal mammary artery (IMA) graft 

Denominator
All patients undergoing isolated CABG

Denominator Time Window
12 months 

Exclusions
Cases are removed from the denominator if the patient had a previous CABG prior to the current admission or if IMA was not used and one of the following reasons was provided:

  • Subclavian stenosis
  • Previous cardiac or thoracic surgery
  • Previous mediastinal radiation
  • Emergent or salvage procedure
  • No LAD disease

Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Mitral Valve Replacement + CABG Surgery

NQF #0122

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients undergoing combined MV Replacement and CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure 

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing combined MV Replacement and CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure 

Numerator Time Window
During hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged 

Denominator
All patients undergoing combined MV Replacement + CABG

Denominator Time Window
36 months


Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Aortic Valve Replacement + CABG Surgery

NQF #0123

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients undergoing combined AVR and CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing combined AVR and CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator Time Window
During hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged

Denominator
All patients undergoing combined AVR + CABG 

Denominator Time Window
36 months


Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Mitral Valve Repair + CABG Surgery

NQF #1502

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Percent of patients undergoing combined MV Repair and CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing combined MV Repair and CABG who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even if after 30 days, and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator Time Window
During hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged

Denominator
All patients undergoing combined MV Repair + CABG

Denominator Time Window
36 months


Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) + CABG Composite Score

NQF #2563

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
11/07/14

Description
The STS AVR+CABG Composite Score comprises two domains consisting of six measures: Domain 1) Absence of Operative Mortality – Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience operative mortality. Operative mortality is defined as death during the same hospitalization as surgery or after discharge but within 30 days of the procedure; and Domain 2) Absence of Major Morbidity – Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience any major morbidity. Major morbidity is defined as having at least one of the following adverse outcomes: 1. reoperations for any cardiac reason, 2. renal failure, 3. deep sternal wound infection, 4. prolonged ventilation/intubation, and 5. cerebrovascular accident/permanent stroke. All measures are based on audited clinical data collected in a prospective registry and are risk-adjusted.

Numerator and Denominator Statements and Time Periods
Due to the complex methodology used to construct the composite measure, it is impractical to separately discuss the numerator and denominator. The following discussion describes how each domain score is calculated and how these are combined into an overall composite score.

The STS AVR+CABG Composite Score comprises two domains consisting of six individual measures:

  1. Absence of Operative Mortality
           NQF # 0123 Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for AVR+CABG Surgery
  2. Absence of Major Morbidity, scored any-or-none. The measures used are the same morbidity outcomes included in NQF #0696 STS CABG Composite Score.
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Stroke/Cerebrovascular Accident
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Surgical Re-exploration
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Deep Sternal Wound Infection Rate
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Renal Failure
           Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Prolonged Intubation (Ventilation)

Participants receive a score for each of the two domains, plus an overall composite score. The overall composite score is created by “rolling up” the domain scores into a single number. In addition to receiving a numeric score, participants are assigned to rating categories designated by one star (below average performance), two stars (average performance), or three stars (above average performance).

Patient Population: The analysis population consists of adult patients aged 18 years or older who undergo AVR+CABG surgery

Time Period: 3 years

Data Completeness Requirement: Participants are excluded from the analysis if they have fewer than 10 AVR+CABG procedures in the patient population.


Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement (MVRR) + Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Composite Score

NQF #3032

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
1/25/17

Description
The STS Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement (MVRR) + Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Composite Score measures surgical performance for MVRR + CABG with or without concomitant Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Patient Foramen Ovale (PFO) closures, tricuspid valve repair (TVr), or surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). To assess overall quality, the STS MVRR +CABG Composite Score comprises two domains consisting of six measures:

Domain 1 – Absence of Operative Mortality
Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience operative mortality. Operative mortality is defined as death before hospital discharge or within 30 days of the operation.

Domain 2 – Absence of Major Morbidity
Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience any major morbidity. Major morbidity is defined as the occurrence of any one or more of the following major complications:

1. Prolonged ventilation, 2. Deep sternal wound infection, 3. Permanent stroke, 4. Renal failure, and 5. Reoperations for bleeding, coronary graft occlusion, prosthetic or native valve dysfunction, and other cardiac reasons, but not for other non-cardiac reasons.

Numerator and Denominator Statements and Time Periods
Due to the complex methodology used to construct the composite measure, it is impractical to separately discuss the numerator and denominator. The following discussion describes how each domain score is calculated and how these are combined into an overall composite score.

The STS Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement (MVRR) Composite Score comprises two domains consisting of six measures:

Domain 1 – Absence of Operative Mortality
Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience operative mortality. Operative mortality is defined as death before hospital discharge or within 30 days of the operation.

Domain 2 – Absence of Major Morbidity
Proportion of patients (risk-adjusted) who do not experience any major morbidity. Major morbidity is defined as the occurrence of any one or more of the following major complications:

1. Prolonged ventilation,
2. Deep sternal wound infection,
3. Permanent stroke,
4. Renal failure, and
5. Reoperations for bleeding, coronary graft occlusion, prosthetic or native valve dysfunction, and other cardiac reasons, but not for other non-cardiac reasons.

Participants receive a score for each of the two domains, plus an overall composite score. The overall composite score was created by “rolling up” the domain scores into a single number. In addition to receiving a numeric score, participants are assigned to rating categories designated by the following:

1 star – lower-than-expected performance
2 stars – as-expected performance
3 stars – higher-than-expected performance

Patient Population: The analysis population consists of patients aged 18 years or older who MVRR + CABG with or without concomitant Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Patient Foramen Ovale (PFO) closures, tricuspid valve repair (TVr), or surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Time Window: 3 years

Data Completeness Requirement: Participants are excluded from the analysis if they have fewer than 25 MVRR + CABG procedures in the patient population.


Selection of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Cardiac Surgery Patients

NQF #0126

NQF Status
Endorsed (Reserve Status)

Date of Endorsement
1/31/12

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing cardiac surgery who received preoperative prophylactic antibiotics recommended for the operation

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery who received a first generation or second generation cephalosporin prophylactic antibiotic (e.g., cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefamandole) preoperatively or in the event of a documented allergy, an alternate antibiotic choice (e.g., vancomycin, clindamycin) was ordered and administered preoperatively

Denominator
Number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery 

Denominator Time Window
12 months

Exclusions

  • Patients who had a principal diagnosis suggestive of preoperative infectious diseases
  • Patients whose ICD‐9‐CM principal procedure was performed entirely by Laparoscope
  • Patients enrolled in clinical trials
  • Patients with documented infection prior to surgical procedure of interest
  • Patients who expired perioperatively
  • Patients who were receiving antibiotics more than 24 hours prior to surgery
  • Patients who were receiving antibiotics within 24 hours prior to arrival
  • Patients who did not receive any antibiotics before or during surgery, or within 24 hours after anesthesia end time (i.e., patient did not receive prophylactic antibiotics)
  • Patients who did not receive any antibiotics during this hospitalization

Duration of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Cardiac Surgery Patients

NQF #0128

NQF Status
Endorsed (Reserve Status)

Date of Endorsement
5/2/12

Description
Percent of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing cardiac surgery whose prophylactic antibiotics were discontinued within 48 hours after surgery end time

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery whose prophylactic antibiotics were discontinued within 48 hours after surgery end time 

Numerator Time Window
Within 48 hours after surgery end time

Denominator
Number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Denominator Time Window
12 months

Exclusions

  • Patients who had a principal diagnosis suggestive of preoperative infectious diseases 
  • Patients whose ICD‐9‐CM principal procedure was performed entirely by Laparoscope
  • Patients enrolled in clinical trials
  • Patients with documented infection prior to surgical procedure of interest
  • Patients who expired perioperatively
  • Patients who were receiving antibiotics more than 24 hours prior to surgery
  • Patients who were receiving antibiotics within 24 hours prior to arrival
  • Patients who did not receive any antibiotics during this hospitalization
  • Patients with reasons to extend antibiotics

Participation in a Systematic Database for Cardiac Surgery

NQF #0113

NQF Status
Endorsed (Reserve Status)

Date of Endorsement
12/6/11

Description
Participation in a clinical database with broad state, regional, or national representation that provides regular performance reports based on benchmarked data 

Numerator
Does the facility participate in a clinical database with broad state, regional, or national representation that provides regular performance reports based on benchmarked data? (yes/no) 

Numerator Time Window
12 months


Congenital/Pediatric Heart Surgery Measures

Operative Mortality Stratified by the 5 STAT Mortality Categories

NQF # 0733

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
11/16/11

Description
Operative mortality stratified by the five STS-EACTS Mortality Levels, a multi-institutional validated complexity stratification tool

Numerator
Number of patients who undergo pediatric and congenital open heart surgery and die during either of the following two time intervals:  1.) Prior to hospital discharge 2.) Within 30 days of the date of surgery

Denominator
Number of index cardiac operations in each level of complexity stratification using the five STS-EACTS Mortality Levels, a multi-institutional validated complexity stratification tool

Measure Exclusions
Any operation that is not a pediatric or congenital Cardiac Operation. Cardiac operations are defined as operations that are of operation types of “CPB” or “No CPB Cardiovascular” (CPB is cardiopulmonary bypass.) [1].
Any operation that is a pediatric or congenital open heart surgery (operation types of “CPB” or "No CPB Cardiovascular") that cannot be classified into a level of complexity by the five STS-EACTS Mortality Levels.

Reference
1.Jacobs JP, Mavroudis C, Jacobs ML, Maruszewski B, Tchervenkov CI, Lacour-Gayet FG, Clarke DR, Yeh T, Walters HL 3rd, Kurosawa H, Stellin G, Ebels T, Elliott MJ. What is Operative Mortality? Defining Death in a Surgical Registry Database: A Report from the STS Congenital Database Task Force and the Joint EACTS-STS Congenital Database Committee. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 81(5):1937-41, May 2006.


Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery

NQF #2683

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
9/3/15

Description
Percent of patients undergoing index pediatric and/or congenital heart surgery who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days (including patients transferred to other acute care facilities), and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator
Number of patients undergoing index pediatric and/or congenital heart surgery who die, including both 1) all deaths occurring during the hospitalization in which the procedure was performed, even if after 30 days (including patients transferred to other acute care facilities), and 2) those deaths occurring after discharge from the hospital, but within 30 days of the procedure

Numerator Time Window
During the hospitalization regardless of length of stay or within 30 days of surgery if discharged

Denominator
All patients undergoing index pediatric and/or congenital heart surgery

Denominator Time Window
48 months


Surgical Volume for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery

Surgical Volume for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery: Total Programmatic Volume and Programmatic Volume Stratified by the Five STS-EACTS Mortality Categories

NQF # 0732

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
11/16/11

Description
Surgical volume for pediatric and congenital heart surgery: total programmatic volume and programmatic volume stratified by the five STS-EACTS Mortality Levels, a multi-institutional validated complexity stratification tool

Numerator
1) Total number of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery operations and 2) number of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery operations in each of the strata of complexity specified by the five STS-EACTS Mortality Levels, a multi-institutional validated complexity stratification tool

Measure Exclusions
Any operation that is not a pediatric or congenital cardiac operation. Cardiac operations are defined as operations that are of operation types of “CPB” or “No CPB Cardiovascular” (CPB is cardiopulmonary bypass.) [1].
Any operation that is a pediatric or congenital open heart surgery (operation types of “CPB” or "No CPB Cardiovascular") that cannot be classified into a level of complexity by the five STS-EACTS Mortality Levels.

Reference
1. Jacobs JP, Mavroudis C, Jacobs ML, Maruszewski B, Tchervenkov CI, Lacour-Gayet FG, Clarke DR, Yeh T, Walters HL 3rd, Kurosawa H, Stellin G, Ebels T, Elliott MJ. What is Operative Mortality? Defining Death in a Surgical Registry Database: A Report from the STS Congenital Database Task Force and the Joint EACTS-STS Congenital Database Committee. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 81(5):1937-41, May 2006.


Participation in a National Database for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery

NQF # 0734

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
12/5/11

Description
Participation in at least one multi-center, standardized data collection and feedback program that provides benchmarking of the physician’s data relative to national and regional programs and uses process and outcome measures.

Numerator
Whether or not there is participation in at least one multi-center data collection and feedback program for pediatric and congenital heart surgery.

Measure Exclusions
Any operation that is not a pediatric or congenital Cardiac Operation. Cardiac operations are defined as operations that are of operation types of “CPB” or “No CPB Cardiovascular” (CPB is cardiopulmonary bypass.)


General Thoracic Surgery Measures

Risk-Adjusted Morbidity and Mortality for Lung Resection for Lung Cancer

NQF # 1790

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
8/9/12

Description
Percentage of patients ≥ 18 years of age undergoing elective lung resection (Open or VATS wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, bilobectomy, sleeve lobectomy, pneumonectomy) for lung cancer who developed any of the following postoperative complications: reintubation, need for tracheostomy, initial ventilator support > 48 hours, ARDS, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, bronchopleural fistula, bleeding requiring reoperation, myocardial infarction or operative mortality.

Numerator
Number of patients ≥ 18 years of age undergoing elective lung resection for lung cancer who developed any of the following postoperative complications: reintubation, need for tracheostomy, initial ventilator support > 48 hours, ARDS, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, bronchopleural fistula, bleeding requiring reoperation, myocardial infarction or operative mortality.

Denominator
Number of patients ≥ 18 years of age undergoing elective lung resection for lung cancer.

Exclusions
Emergency Procedures


Participation in a Systematic National Database for General Thoracic Surgery

NQF # 0456

NQF Status
Undergoing endorsement maintenance

Description
Participation in a multi-center data collection and feedback program that provides benchmarking of the physician’s data relative to national programs and uses structural, process, and outcome measures.

Numerator
Whether or not the physician participates for a 12-month period in at least one multi-center data collection and feedback program that provides benchmarking of the physician’s data relative to national programs and uses structural, process, and outcome measures.


Lobectomy for Lung Cancer Composite Score

NQF #3294

NQF Status
Endorsed

Date of Endorsement
6/06/18

Description
The STS Lobectomy Composite Score comprises two domains:

1. Operative Mortality (death during the same hospitalization as surgery or within 30 days of the procedure)

2. Presence of at least one of these major complications: pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopleural fistula, pulmonary embolus, initial ventilator support greater than 48 hours, reintubation/respiratory failure, tracheostomy, myocardial infarction, or unexpected return to the operating room.

The composite score is created by a weighted combination of the above two domains resulting in a single composite score. In addition to receiving a numeric score, participants are assigned to rating categories designated by the following:
1 star: lower-than-expected performance
2 stars: as-expected performance
3 stars: higher-than-expected performance

Numerator Statement 
The STS Lobectomy Composite Score comprises two domains:

1. Operative Mortality (death during the same hospitalization as surgery or within 30 days of the procedure)

2. Presence of at least one of these major complications: pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopleural fistula, pulmonary embolus, initial ventilator support greater than 48 hours, reintubation/respiratory failure, tracheostomy, myocardial infarction, or unexpected return to the operating room.

The composite score is created by a weighted combination of the above two domains resulting in a single composite score. Operative mortality and major complications are weighted inversely by their respective standard deviations across participants. This procedure is equivalent to first rescaling mortality and complications by their respective standard deviations and then assigning equal weighting to the rescaled mortality rate and rescaled complication rate. This is the same methodology used for other STS composite measures.

In addition to receiving a numeric score, participants are assigned to rating categories designated by the following:
1 star: lower-than-expected performance
2 stars: as-expected performance
3 stars: higher-than-expected performance

Patient Population: The STS General Thoracic Surgery Database is queried for all patients treated with lobectomy for lung cancer within a 3-year (36 month) time period. We exclude patients with non-elective status, occult or stage 0 tumors, American Society of Anesthesiologists class VI, and with missing data for age, sex, or discharge mortality status.

Model variables: Variables in the model: age, sex, year of operation, body mass index, hypertension, steroid therapy, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, reoperation, preoperative chemotherapy within 6 months, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, dialysis, past smoker, current smoker, forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent of predicted, Zubrod score (linear plus quadratic), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (linear plus quadratic), and pathologic stage.

Denominator Statement
Number of patients greater than or equal to 18 years of age undergoing elective lobectomy for lung cancer

Denominator Time Window 
3 years

Exclusions
Patients are excluded with non-elective status, occult or stage 0 tumors, American Society of Anesthesiologists class VI, and with missing data for age, sex, or discharge mortality status.