State Report Ranks LIJ as New York's Best for Heart Bypass Surgery, North Shore University...

State Report Ranks LIJ as New York's Best for Heart Bypass Surgery, North
Shore University Hospital Tops for Emergency Angioplasty Survival

New state reports also recognize performance of North Shore-LIJ surgeons Alan
Hartman and Robert Palazzo, cardiologist Lawrence Ong

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y., July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LIJ Medical Center
ranks as the best hospital in New York for heart bypass surgery, according to
the latest three-year report (encompassing data from 2004-06) released by the
New York State Department of Health (DOH). LIJ was among only two hospitals in
New York State - and the only one in the Queens/Long Island market - that had
success rates that were significantly better from a statistical standpoint
than the statewide average, earning DOH's prestigious double-star ranking; the
hospital had a risk-adjusted mortality rate of one percent for coronary artery
bypass graft (CABG) surgery during that three-year period, the lowest in the
state.

Two cardiothoracic surgeons, Robert Palazzo, M.D., of LIJ Medical Center, and
Alan Hartman, M.D., chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at North Shore
University Hospital and LIJ, were among only 11 open-heart surgeons statewide
- out of about 145 cardiac surgeons in 39 hospitals statewide - who had
outcomes that were significantly better, according to the state's Adult
Cardiac Surgery Report.

A separate DOH report released at the same time on angioplasty showed that
North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) performed more emergency angioplasty
cases than any other program in New York State (1,122 cases) from 2004-06 and
had outcomes that were significantly better than the statewide average (a
mortality rate of 1.83 percent) - the only hospital in the state that had a
significantly better success rate in emergency cases. In addition, the data
showed that among the more than 300 cardiologists performing angioplasty at 51
hospitals throughout New York State, only three -- including Lawrence Ong,
director of interventional cardiology at North Shore University Hospital - had
superior outcomes. Angioplasty is a procedure used to clear blocked heart
arteries and increase blood flow.

"The results of the state's latest reports help eliminate the guesswork for
heart patients, who are often confounded by a multitude of advertising claims
and studies about who can best meet their needs," said Stanley Katz, M.D.,
senior vice president of cardiovascular services for the North Shore-LIJ
Health System and chairman of cardiology at NSUH and LIJ. "These Department of
Health reports, based on an exhausting analysis of 58,614 open-heart surgery
cases and 167,752 angioplasty procedures, clearly show that patients can count
on getting superior cardiac care, regardless of whether they go to LIJ Medical
Center or North Shore University Hospital."

"While investments in new technology have certainly strengthened the ability
of North Shore-LIJ to deliver the best cardiac care, it's the team approach
that continues to make the difference in patient care and successful
outcomes," added Dr. Hartman.

LIJ's top ranking for bypass surgery follows its number-one placement in the
state in last year's DOH report.

The DOH's full reports are available at:
http://www.nyhealth.gov/statistics/diseases/cardiovascular/. Scroll down to
Adult Cardiac Surgery or Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

SOURCE North Shore-LIJ Health System

Terry Lynam of North Shore-LIJ Health System, +1-516-465-2640/2600,
tlynam@nshs.edu