WakeMed Ranks #1 in U.S. for Quality Outcomes for Open Heart Bypass Surgery

RALEIGH, N.C. (August 30, 2021) – WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Heart & Vascular recently achieved the top of a nationally reported outcomes listing for heart bypass surgery. As reported by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), WakeMed’s 30-day Risk-Standardized Mortality Measures for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft procedures had the lowest mortality rate* in the United States.

Additionally, WakeMed and the Cleveland Clinic tied for the lowest mortality rate – a 1.4% risk adjusted mortality score – among all hospitals reporting nationwide. The national average for risk-adjusted mortality scores is 2.9%, which is also the average rate reported for North Carolina hospitals.

"These results represent the nation’s lowest mortality after hospital discharge among patients 65 and older for this reporting period,” said Judson Williams, MD, MHS, cardiac surgeon and executive medical director of WakeMed Heart & Vascular. “This top rating is a testament of our team’s relentless commitment to best practices across each phase of complex cardiovascular care. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is designed to help patients live longer and feel better, and I am extremely happy for our team to see the results of their hard work benefitting so many patients.”

The 30-day Risk Standardized Mortality Measures were published July 21, 2021 by CMS. Outcomes data is publicly reported annually on care provided to Medicare patients in multiple categories such as heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, pneumonia, stroke and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries.

For more information about WakeMed Heart & Vascular, visit www.wakemed.org/hearts.

*for the reporting period July 1, 2017, to December 1, 2019. The rate includes mortality during hospitalization and after discharge of Medicare patients.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 946-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 10,000 employees, 1,500 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 580 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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For Additional Information:

WakeMed Health & Hospitals


Kristin Kelly | Phone: 919-350-5921


Email: krkelly@wakemed.org