An aortic aneurysm is a general term for any swelling or dilatation of the aorta (the body’s largest artery, whichoriginates from the left ventricle of the heart and delivers oxygenated blood throughout the systemic circulation).The cause of an aortic aneurysm is usually an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that location. While the stretched vessel may occasionally cause discomfort, a greater concern is the risk of rupture, which causes severe pain; massive internal hemorrhage; and, without prompt treatment, is fatal.

There are several classifications of aortic anueryms; these quallity measures reflect data related to abdominal and thoracic aortic anuerym repair.

Learn more about aortic aneurysm repair.

How is Process of Care Measured?

University Hospitals participates in the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC): a nationwide alliance of academic medical centers and their affiliated hospitals. This group represents approximately 90% of the nation’s non-profit academic medical centers.

The UHC maintains a comparative database of healthcare measures which have been established to indicate the overall quality of commonly-performed medical procedures. The primary measurement for aortic aneurysm repair process of care is mortality rate.

Mortality Rate

• Why is this important to you as a patient?
  Mortality rate is an indicator of good patient care process.
  A lower number is better.


• How do we compare outcomes?
  UHCMC participates in the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) comparative database along with more than 100 other academic centers across the country. The national comparison shown below compares our outcomes to those of other nationally-recognized academic medical centers.


• Results:
  UHCMC’s mortality rate for aortic aneurysm repair is better thanthe national average

Patient experience is measured by the following criteria:

• Length of stay
• Readmission to the Hospital

Length of Stay as a Quality Measure

• Why is this important to you as a patient?
  This measure indicates the number of days a patient spends in the hospital.A shorter length of stay usually indicates more efficient and effective care.It means the patient can return home faster to recuperate in a familiar, more comfortable surrounding. A shorter stay in the hospital is also generally less disruptive for the patient and his / her family.


• How do we compare outcomes?
  UHCMC participates in the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) comparative database along with more than 100 other academic centers across the country. The national comparison shown below compares our outcomes to those of other nationally-recognized academic medical centers.


• Results:
  UHCMC’s average length of stay for aortic aneurysm repair is better than the national average.

Readmission to the Hospital as a Quality Measure

• Why is this important to you as a patient?
  This measure indicates the number of patients who are discharged from the hospital and then readmitted within 30 days of their discharge. A lower number indicates more efficient and effective care.


• How do we compare outcomes?
  UHCMC participates in the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) comparative database along with more than 100 other academic centers across the country. The national comparison shown below compares our outcomes to those of other nationally-recognized academic medical centers.


• Results:
  UHCMC’s readmission to the hospital for aortic aneurysm repair is better than the national average.