Centra Stroobants Heart Center continues to earn top ranking among the nation’s best hospitals for heart surgery. For the third year in a row, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has awarded Centra a three-star rating—its highest rating for quality in cardiac surgery.

Only 10 percent of the hospitals across the country participating in the analysis of national data were awarded the three-star ranking for cardiac surgery performance. Centra is the only health care system in Virginia to have received the award every year since its inception.

“We are deeply honored to receive the top rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for the third time,” said David Frantz, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon. “This award is a testament to the excellence of our heart center and our cardiothoracic surgery program. Centra patients can be assured they are receiving the highest quality care available in the country.”

The STS National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, established 20 years ago, is considered the national gold standard for cardiothoracic surgery. Based on its database, STS uses a comprehensive rating system to compare the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country. Centra submits data to the STS database quarterly.

“The STS considers four core quality indicators,” said Skip Meador, Centra vice president of cardiovascular and neurosciences. “These include complication rates, mortality rates and other significant measures in the provision of cardiothoracic surgery and recovery. These results are an assurance to our region and our patients that when they choose Centra for heart surgery, they are choosing the best quality of care in the country.”

For more information about Centra’s nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgery program, please call 1.877.MDLINK1 (1.877.635.4651).