Quality Improvement in Congenital Heart Surgery

Congenital heart disease is a major public health concern in the United States. Outcomes of surgery for children with congenital heart disease have dramatically improved over the last several decades with current aggregate operative mortality rates approximating 3%, inclusive of all ages and defects. However, there remains significant variability among institutions, especially for higher-risk and more complex patients. As health care moves toward the quadruple aim of improving patient experience, improving the health of populations, lowering costs, and increasing satisfaction among providers, congenital heart surgery programs must evolve to meet the growing scrutiny, demands, and expectations of numerous stakeholders. Improved outcomes and reduced interinstitutional variability are achieved through prioritization of quality assurance and improvement.