Choosing a hospital

Experience counts

When it comes to treating cardiovascular disease, experience counts. Studies show that hospitals that treat a high number of patients for cardiovascular disease and perform large numbers of procedures and surgeries have better results. Be sure to ask health care providers how much care they provide in the area in which you're interested.

General guidelines
Professional organizations provide general guidelines about volume recommendations:

• A task force of the American Heart Association, American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology recommends a hospital perform a minimum of 200 balloon angioplasties per year.
• The Report of the Inter-Society Commission for Heart Disease Resources suggests a catheterization lab perform at least 300 procedures each year.
• The American College of Surgeons guideline for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is 150 open heart operations annually.

Next page: A reputation for innovation

Cardiac Services home page

Last revised: May 22, 2007 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

By accessing this Website, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in our Privacy Policy, Usage Policy and other disclaimer pages and any other terms concerning use and operation of this site. All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Copyright © 2007, Yale-New Haven Hospital. All rights reserved. Comments or suggestions to the site editor.