A Method to Evaluate Cardiac Surgery Mortality: Phase of Care Mortality Analysis

This analysis identifies the occurrence of potentially avoidable mortalities in the 4 hospital phases of care, with the largest absolute number of avoidable mortalities occurring in the preoperative phase. A focus on these phases of care provides significant opportunity for quality improvement initiatives. Utilizing phase of care mortality analysis stimulates surgeons and hospitals to develop and refine mortality reviews and provides a structured statewide platform for discussion, education, quality improvement, and enhanced outcomes.