The STS assigns one to three stars to each program that takes part. Weighted measure accounts for outcomes and severity of illnesses.

Published: September 25, 2018 | Updated: November 23, 2021

When a parent has a newborn, child or teen with a congenital heart condition that needs surgery, they want to know where the operation should happen and which hospital has a record of success.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) operates a database that rates congenital heart programs based on patients’ outcomes. Users can look up programs based on name or location.

The STS assigns one to three stars to each program that takes part. The stars are assigned based on outcomes adjusted for how sick the patient is.

• One star: Higher than expected death rate.
• Two stars: Death rate no higher or lower than expected.
• Three stars: Lower than expected death rate.

The vast majority of programs earn two stars.