Data Manager Guidance

Advances in Quality & Outcomes: A Data Managers Meeting

AQO 2024 will offer a unique opportunity to explore techniques for optimizing data collection using case scenarios and driving quality improvement. Head for Nashville, Tenn., September 11-13, 2024 to attend the premier gathering of STS National Database professionals as they share valuable research and important clinical findings. Register today – STS members receive discounts. Learn more

Data Manager Collaborative

This program (formerly the Data Manager Mentorship Program) pairs data managers who are seeking advice related to data abstraction. After submitting a sign-up form, you will be matched based on registry type, STS-certified software vendor, and other factors. STS will share your contact information with other data manager(s) to facilitate an ongoing professional relationship. Learn more and sign up.

If you have questions about the program, contact the STS Database Operations Team.

Regional Groups

STS National Database regional groups offer a collaborative networking environment for peer-to-peer support and non-clinical guidance related to data abstraction. Learn more

STS National Database News

This monthly e-newsletter offers news and updates about the STS National Database. STS data managers and surgeon participants receive a free subscription, which includes updates for each registry in which they participate. Do you have colleagues who should be receiving STS National Database News? Or would you like to receive a copy? Fill out this form to be added to the mailing list for future issues. 

 

Clinical Question Request Form

Are you struggling with a clinical question regarding data abstraction? Fill out the Clinical Question Request Form and get a response within 30 days.

Contact and Support

STS is available to help you with questions regarding the STS National Database. 

If you have specific questions regarding the platform or participant reports, contact the STS National Database helpdesk. You will receive a helpdesk ticket, and STS will aim to follow up with you within 2 business days. Note: Heavy call and email volumes are anticipated as harvest deadlines approach. We appreciate your patience. 

For general questions (like invoicing, updating contacts, or harvest schedules), contact the STS National Database staff team. For public reporting questions, contact STS Public Reporting

Adult Cardiac Surgery Database

The ACSD data collection forms and training manual require a participant login. (If you need assistance with your login credentials, contact STS Member services.) 

ACSD Harvest Deadlines

Note: If you have changed software vendors since you last harvested data to the STS Data Warehouse, or if your 10-digit Hospital NPI number or Hospital Name has changed, complete the Participant Contact Form to make these updates prior to your data submission. Or complete the harvest opt-out form, if necessary.

2023 Harvest

Term

Harvest Submission Window Close

Opt-Out Date


Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 

Report Posting

Comments

Harvest 1 2/10/2023 02/14/2023 12/31/2022 Spring 2023 Star Rating
Harvest 2 5/19/2023 05/23/2023 3/31/2023 Summer 2023  
Harvest 3 8/18/2023

8/22/2023

6/30/2023 Fall 2023 Star Rating
Harvest 4 11/10/2023

11/14/2023

9/30/2023 Winter 2023  

 

2024 Harvest

Term

Harvest Submission Window Close

Opt-Out Date


Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 

Report Posting

Comments

Harvest 1 2/23/2024 2/27/2024 12/31/2023 Spring 2024 Star Rating
Harvest 2 6/7/2024 6/11/2024 3/31/2024 Summer 2024  
Harvest 3 10/4/2024

10/8/2024

6/30/2024 Fall 2024 Star Rating
Harvest 4 11/22/2024

11/26/2024

9/30/2024 Winter 2024  

Data Submission Open is continuous for all harvest terms. Submission Close occurs at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the date listed. 

Exceptional Risk Exclusion Request

In highly extraordinary circumstances, adult cardiac index operations with rare co-morbidities that fall outside of the current STS risk models for benchmark operations may be performed by STS Database participants. If you believe a case meets exceptional risk criteria and would like it reviewed by the Exceptional Risk Exclusion Committee (EREC), complete this form prior to the date of surgery. STS will contact you or your data manager for specific case information and documentation to determine if the case meets the exclusion requirements. You will be notified of the final decision after the date of surgery. If the case is approved by the EREC as exceptional risk, the complete in-hospital and/or 30-day data including mortality information must still be submitted to the STS National Database, but it will be removed from outcome reporting.

Cases to be considered for exceptional risk include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Fourth-time or greater re-operative epicardial or intra-cardiac operations
  • Hepatic cirrhosis with known portal hypertension manifested by clear varices or portal ultrasound
  • Under active consideration/evaluation for liver or lung transplantation (being considered or listed for kidney transplantation is not an acceptable exclusion)
  • Prior cardiac or lung transplantation
  • More than one limb amputation (greater than phalanges)
  • Prior pneumonectomy
  • Implanted permanent mechanical circulatory support device (RVAD, LVAD, TAH)

The criteria for exceptional risk designation will evolve as risk models are modified for new and more frequent high-risk procedures. We expect exceptional risk cases to be rare, highly unusual, and infrequent.

STS will continue requiring Database participants to submit ALL cases to the STS National Database, including cases approved for exceptional risk.  The approved exceptional risk cases will be flagged and removed from Database harvest analytics. 

If you have questions, contact the STS National Database Team. 

ACSD Webinars

ACSD Quality Improvement Webinar

October 16 at 3 p.m. ET • 2 p.m. CT

Call In: 888-475-4499 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 338 714 200
International Dial-in Numbers

Join Webinar

Most Recent ACSD Webinars

View Webinar Recording

View Slides - ACSD Monthly Webinar - October 2, 2024

View Slides - ACSD Monthly Webinar - August 7, 2024

View Slides - ACSD Quality Improvement Webinar - July 17, 2024

View Slides - ACSD New Data Manager Webinar - June 13, 2024

View Slides - ACSD QI Series, Frailty - April 17, 2024

Not receiving notices about weekly webinars? Add your name to the interest list.

General Thoracic Surgery Database

The GTSD data collection forms and training manual require a participant login. (If you need assistance with your login credentials, contact STS Member services.) 

Sample Data Analysis Report
GTSD Harvest Deadlines

Note: If you have changed software vendors since you last harvested data to the STS Data Warehouse, or if your 10-digit Hospital NPI number or Hospital Name has changed, complete the Participant Contact Form to make these updates prior to your data submission. Or complete the harvest opt-out form, if necessary.

2023 Harvest

Term

Harvest Submission Window Close

Opt-Out Date


Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 

Report Posting

Comments

Spring 2023 3/3/2023

3/7/2023

12/31/2022 Summer 2023

Star Rating

Fall 2023 9/8/2023

9/12/2023

6/30/2023 Winter 2023 Star Rating

 

2024 Harvest

Term

Harvest Submission Window Close

Opt-Out Date


Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 

Report Posting

Comments

Spring 2024 3/8/2024

3/12/2024

12/31/2023 Summer 2024

Star Rating

Fall 2024 9/6/2024

9/10/2024

6/30/2024 Winter 2024 Star Rating

Data Submission Open is continuous for all harvest terms. Data Submission Close occurs at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the date listed. 

GTSD Webinars

GTSD Monthly Webinar

October 9 at 2:30 p.m. ET • 1:30 p.m. CT

Call In: 888-475-4499 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 771 371 213
International Dial-in Numbers

Join Webinar

GTSD Quality Improvement Webinar

October 23 at 2 p.m. ET • 1 p.m. CT

Call In: 888-475-4499 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 460 019 357
International Dial-in Numbers

Join Webinar

Most Recent GTSD Webinar

View Webinar Recording

View Slides - GTSD Quality Improvement Webinar - August 29, 2024

View Slides - GTSD Monthly Webinar - August 14, 2024

View Slides - GTSD Monthly Webinar - June 12, 2024

View Slides - GTSD Monthly Webinar - May 8, 2024

View Slides - GTSD Monthly Webinar - April 10, 2024

View Slides - GTSD Monthly Webinar - March 13, 2024

 

Not receiving notices about weekly webinars? Add your name to the interest list.

Congenital Heart Surgery Database

The CHSD data collection forms and training manual require a participant login. (If you need assistance with your login credentials, contact STS Member services.) 

CHSD Harvest Deadlines

Note: If you have changed software vendors since you last harvested data to the STS Data Warehouse, or if your 10-digit Hospital NPI number or Hospital Name has changed, complete the Participant Contact Form to make these updates prior to your data submission. Or complete the harvest opt-out form, if necessary.

2023 Harvest

Term

Harvest Submission Window Close

Opt-Out Date


Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 

Report Posting

Comments

Spring 2023 3/10/2023 3/14/2023 12/31/2022 Summer 2023  
Fall 2023 9/15/2023

9/19/2023

6/30/2023 Winter 2023  

 

2024 Harvest

Term

Harvest Submission Window Close

Opt-Out Date


Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 

Report Posting

Comments

Spring 2024 4/19/2024 4/23/2024 12/31/2023 Summer 2024  
Fall 2024 9/30/2024

10/4/2024

6/30/2024 Winter 2024  

Data Submission Open is continuous for all harvest terms. Data Submission Close occurs at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the date listed. 

CHSD Webinars

CHSD Monthly Webinar

October 15 at 1 p.m. ET • 12 p.m. CT

Call In: 888-475-4499 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 394 740 549
International Dial-in Numbers

Join Webinar

Most Recent CHSD Webinar

View Webinar Recording

View Slides - CHSD Monthly Webinar - August 13, 2024

View Slides - CHSD Monthly Webinar - July 16, 2024

View Slides - CHSD Monthly Webinar - June 18, 2024

View Slides - CHSD Monthly Webinar - May 21, 2024

View Slides - CHSD Monthly Webinar - April 16, 2024

View Slides - CHSD Monthly Webinar - March 19, 2024

Not receiving notices about weekly webinars? Add your name to the interest list.

Intermacs Database

Intermacs Webinars

Intermacs/Pedimacs Quality Assurance Report Overview Quarterly Webinar

October 17 at 2 p.m. ET • 1 p.m. CT

Call In: 888-475-4499 or 877-853-5257 or 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 557 707 151
International Dial-in Numbers

Join Webinar

Most Recent Intermacs Webinar

View Webinar Recording

View Slides - Intermacs User Group Call - Sept. 25, 2024

View Slides - Intermacs & Pedimacs Quality Reporting Webinar - July 18, 2024

View Slides - Intermacs User Group Call - June 26, 2024

View Slides - Intermacs User Group Call - May 29, 2024

View Slides - Intermacs Quality Assurance Reports Webinar - April 25, 2024

View Slides - Intermacs New Data Manager Webinar (Part II) - April 24, 2024

Not receiving notices about weekly webinars? Add your name to the interest list.