Featured Post from ChristianaCare

ChristianaCare’s Center for Heart & Vascular Health Earns 3-Star Rating for Heart Bypass Surgery From Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Feb 24, 2022

3 min

ChristianaCare’s renowned Center for Heart & Vascular Health has earned the highest quality rating—three stars—from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. The prestigious three-star rating places ChristianaCare among the elite health care organizations for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada.


The STS star rating system is one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in health care, rating the benchmarked outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery programs across the United States and Canada. The star rating is calculated using a combination of quality measures for specific procedures performed by an STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database participant.


“Earning a three-star rating for heart bypass surgery places us among the top heart hospitals in the nation,” said Ray Blackwell, M.D., the W. Samuel Carpenter Chief of Cardiac Surgery at ChristianaCare. “Delaware residents can be confident that they have one of the best heart surgery teams in the nation right here, close to home, at ChristianaCare.”


The three-star rating from STS adds to ChristianaCare’s long list of awards for quality heart care. For the past two years, the Center for Heart & Vascular Health has earned the designation HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence from the American College of Cardiology for its commitment to high quality cardiovascular care. In addition, the Center for Heart & Vascular health received the American Heart Association’s 2021 Mission: Lifeline Gold Quality Achievement Award for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks; the 2021 Get With The Guidelines NSTEMI Silver Award for patients with a less severe form of heart attack; and the 2021 Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Award for Heart Failure.


“Our Center for Heart & Vascular Health and our community have much to be proud of,” said Kirk Garratt, M.D., medical director of the Center for Heart & Vascular Health. “We provide great outcomes, and we also listen to patients and families and work to ensure that the stressful experience of surgery is as easy as it can be. That kind of commitment leads to this kind of recognition.”


Heart Disease Remains a Leading Killer in the U.S.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease remains a leading killer in the nation—claiming more than 600,000 lives each year. In addition, the AHA anticipates the effects of COVID-19 are likely to influence cardiovascular health and mortality rates for many years.


“February is American Heart Month, and there is no better time for us to take stock of our heart health than now,” Dr. Garratt said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges to people living with chronic conditions such as heart disease. People with heart conditions are at greater risk of complications from the virus and also continue to need assistance managing their heart health. If you are a heart patient, please do not postpone your regular visit with your cardiologist.”


The STS is a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 7,600 surgeons, researchers and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The STS National Database was established in 1989 as an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety among cardiothoracic surgeons.


“The Society of Thoracic Surgeons congratulates STS National Database participants who have received three-star ratings,” said David Shahian, M.D., chair of the Task Force on Quality Measurement. “Participation in the Database and public reporting demonstrates a commitment to quality improvement in health care delivery and helps provide patients and their families with meaningful information to help them make informed decisions about health care.”


About the Center for Heart & Vascular Health

ChristianaCare’s Center for Heart & Vascular Health is among the largest, most capable regional heart centers on the East Coast. It is one of the only centers in the region that integrates in a single location and under one roof cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, vascular interventional radiology, cardiology and interventional nephrology. Its team of experienced cardiovascular surgeons and heart experts perform nearly 700 open-heart procedures each year and treat more than 8,000 total heart and vascular cases annually. For more information, visit https://christianacare.org/services/heart/.


Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ChristianaCare

A prescription for good health featured image

2 min

A prescription for good health

As more health systems, policymakers and insurers recognize the role of nutrition in preventing and managing disease, Michelle Axe is working to make Food Is Medicine a standard part of health care. Axe, manager of Food Is Medicine programs at ChristianaCare, oversees initiatives that connect patients with healthy food, nutrition education, health coaching and community-based support as part of their care plans. Her team addresses food insecurity while improving outcomes for people living with chronic disease, pregnant women and other populations facing health-related nutrition challenges. Axe works with clinicians, dietitians, health coaches, community health workers and community partners to provide medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries, produce prescriptions and nutrition education. These interventions embed nutritious food into treatment, alongside traditional medical care. Healthier Meals, Better Outcomes When patients have access to nourishing food, they’re more likely to keep their conditions under control and avoid complications. Better nutrition can support lower blood sugar, improved blood pressure and overall improved wellness. Food support can also reduce the need for emergency visits and hospital stays, improving health outcomes in meaningful ways beyond filling a plate. Outside of ChristianaCare, Axe plays a key role in statewide conversations about how Delaware can advance Food Is Medicine strategies. She serves as co-chair of the Delaware Food Is Medicine Funding, Policy and Sustainability Working Group, alongside Delaware’s deputy secretary for Medicaid, placing her at the center of discussions about policy, community partnerships and the future of nutrition-focused health care in Delaware. Axe can provide on-the-ground insight into what it takes to move nutrition interventions from theory to practice and how health systems can measure their impact on patients and communities. Topics Axe can discuss include: • Why health systems are increasingly prescribing food alongside traditional treatments. • The connection between food insecurity, chronic disease and rising health care costs. • Can medically tailored meals reduce hospitalizations and improve outcomes? • How Food Is Medicine programs are supporting healthier pregnancies and families. • What it takes to scale Food Is Medicine from pilot projects to sustainable health care programs.

ChristianaCare, Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics Launch Research Collaboration to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare, Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics Launch Research Collaboration to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Researchers at ChristianaCare and Delaware-based Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics (LisenID) are launching a study to validate a technology designed to detect one of the earliest molecular markers linked to lung cancer development, potentially helping physicians find answers when biopsy results are unclear. The collaboration, led by ChristianaCare’s Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, will evaluate LisenID’s QCIGISH (Quantitative Chromogenic Imprinted Gene In-Situ Hybridization) diagnostic platform in patients enrolled in ChristianaCare’s lung cancer screening and diagnostics program. Researchers will validate whether the technology can identify early molecular changes linked to cancer in tissue samples before those changes are visible on pathology under a microscope, potentially adding useful information when biopsy results are inconclusive. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Delaware and across the United States. Survival is much higher when the disease is found early, which has increased interest in tools that may help improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis. Addressing a common challenge in cancer diagnosis As cancer screening technology evolves, earlier and smaller lesions are found that clinicians must confidently and accurately diagnose. In about 20% of cases, a lung biopsy does not provide enough information to confirm or rule out cancer. Other times, the tissue sample is limited or the results are unclear, leading to repeat testing, months of delay to diagnosis and worse patient outcomes. Traditional pathology relies on examining cells under a microscope. LisenID’s technology is designed to detect early molecular changes in biopsy samples linked to cancer that may not yet be visible through standard methods. Researchers will evaluate whether this technology can help in difficult diagnostic cases. “Advances in cancer care depend on evaluating new approaches that may improve diagnosis,” said Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “This collaboration brings together clinicians and researchers to study a technology that could help reduce uncertainty for patients and support better decisions in challenging cases.” Bringing research to patient care The project brings together specialists from ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, including thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists and cancer researchers. The clinical effort is being led by Brian Nam, M.D., chief of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonary. “One of the most difficult situations for patients is when a biopsy does not give a clear answer,” Nam said. “We may not have enough tissue or the results may be unclear. We are evaluating whether this technology can provide additional information that helps guide next steps and reduce uncertainty.” Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, Ph.D., associate director of the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, said the study reflects the center’s focus on moving promising discoveries into clinical testing. “Our role is to rigorously evaluate new approaches in a clinical setting,” Sims-Mourtada said. “This technology has shown promise in published research and through collaborations with leading institutions. We are now working to determine whether it can provide meaningful information that supports better clinical decisions.” Building on prior research The collaboration builds on prior research involving the technology. LisenID reports its platform has been built on research on more than 10,000 clinical cases through collaborations with hospitals and medical centers in the United States and Internationally. Research published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Epigenetics, has suggested that early molecular changes in gene activity may help identify early lung cancer and evaluate small pulmonary nodules. Last year, LisenID also announced a research collaboration with Mayo Clinic focused on advancing applications of its technology in cancer diagnosis. The company was recognized as one of the top graduates of the 2026 Creative Destruction Lab Cancer Stream, a highly selective international accelerator for science-based startups. Tina Cheng, M.D., co-founder of LisenID, said the collaboration will help evaluate the technology in real-world clinical settings. “Some of the earliest changes in cancer occur at a molecular level before they can be seen under a microscope,” Cheng said. “Our goal is to validate the applicability of our test in clinical cases to see how the test can help physicians when standard testing does not provide clear answers.” The collaboration highlights growing ties between Delaware’s health care and biotechnology communities. By combining ChristianaCare’s cancer expertise with LisenID’s diagnostic technology, the organizations aim to improve tools that may help physicians diagnose lung cancer more accurately and earlier.

ChristianaCare Expands Access to Physical Therapy With New In Home Collaboration With Luna featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare Expands Access to Physical Therapy With New In Home Collaboration With Luna

ChristianaCare is joining forces with Luna, the leading provider of in home, in person outpatient physical therapy, to expand access to care by bringing hands on physical therapy directly into patients’ homes. The new service, ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, will begin taking appointments in June. The collaboration is designed to reduce barriers to care, support strong recovery outcomes and give patients a convenient way to begin physical therapy. Care Delivered Where Patients Need It Most Unlike remote or virtual therapy, the service will provide one on one, hands on care delivered by licensed physical therapists in the convenience of a patient’s home or office. Through Luna’s platform, patients can request care and are matched with a licensed physical therapist who delivers 45 to 55 minute in home sessions and continues in person care throughout the patient’s treatment plan. “Our collaboration with Luna reflects a simple belief: if we can safely deliver high quality care in the home, we should make that option available,” said Jennifer Thomas, MBA, MS, vice president, Rehabilitation Services at ChristianaCare. “By meeting patients where they are, we remove common barriers to care and help people stay engaged in their recovery, regain independence and remain connected to daily life.” Designed to Help More Patients Get Started Too many people who are referred to physical therapy never take the first step. Research on patients referred to physical therapy has found that only about 50% to 76% attend an initial appointment. Travel challenges, scheduling conflicts and difficulty accessing care can all get in the way. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, is designed to make it easier for patients to begin care without delay by bringing licensed physical therapists directly to them and offering scheduling that fits into daily life. “Our focus is on timely access and helping patients get started,” Thomas said. “When care is easier to access and fits into a person’s routine, it is much more likely they will begin treatment. From there, our care teams support patients through a plan that is tailored to their needs and focused on meaningful recovery.” Different From Home Health Care ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, follows an outpatient care model, not home health care. Patients do not need to be homebound to receive services. The program focuses on improving strength, balance and movement and is typically covered under Medicare Part B. This differs from home health care, which serves homebound patients who need short term medical services and is usually covered under Medicare Part A. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, can address many of the conditions commonly treated by ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services, including orthopedic and sports injuries, post surgical rehabilitation, geriatric care, vestibular therapy, women’s health and lymphedema. Experienced Partner With Broad Clinical Expertise Luna has extensive experience delivering in home outpatient physical therapy and partners with health systems nationwide. “We are proud to work with ChristianaCare to expand access to high quality physical therapy in the home,” said Lily Beltran, co-founder and President at Luna. “Our shared focus is on removing barriers to care and delivering consistent, hands on therapy that helps patients recover, stay engaged and achieve their goals.” The service is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare, with the same co pay as facility based physical therapy. Patients can request in home care by calling ChristianaCare Rehab Services’ access center at 302-623-1500. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna is a service offering of ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services, which provides comprehensive, patient centered rehabilitation care across a wide range of settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient facilities, community locations and now in the home.

View all posts
Powered by