Data Manager Guidance

Advances in Quality Outcomes: A Data Managers Meeting

AQO 2025 will offer a unique opportunity to explore techniques for optimizing data collection using case scenarios and driving quality improvement. Head for San Antonio this September to attend the premier gathering of STS National Database professionals as they share valuable research and important clinical findings with hundreds of peers. Learn more here

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.

2024 Harvest

TermHarvest Submission Window CloseOpt-Out Date
Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 
Report PostingComments
Harvest 12/23/20242/27/202412/31/2023Spring 2024Star Rating
Harvest 26/7/20246/11/20243/31/2024Summer 2024 
Harvest 310/4/202410/8/20246/30/2024Fall 2024Star Rating
Harvest 411/22/202411/26/20249/30/2024Winter 2024 

 

2025 Harvest

TermHarvest Submission Window CloseOpt-Out Date
Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 
Report PostingComments
Harvest 12/21/20252/25/202512/31/2024Spring 2025Star Rating
Harvest 25/23/20255/27/20253/31/2025Summer 2025 
Harvest 38/22/2025

8/26/2025

6/30/2025Fall 2025Star Rating
Harvest 411/21/202511/25/20259/30/2025Winter 2025 
Analysis for each harvest is based on a 36-month window.

 

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

Harvest Opt-Out closes at 5:00 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 Monthly Webinar

September 3 at 3 p.m. ET • 2 p.m. CT

Call In: 888-475-4499 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 839 336 582
International Dial-in Numbers

Join Webinar 

ACSD Quality Improvement Webinar

September 17 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

ACSD Monthly Webinar

October 1 at 3 p.m. ET • 2 p.m. CT

Call In: 888-475-4499 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 839 336 582
International Dial-in Numbers

Join Webinar 

ACSD Quality Improvement Webinar

October 15 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

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.

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

 

2025 Harvest

Term

Harvest Submission Window Close

Opt-Out Date


Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 

Report Posting

Comments

Spring 2025 3/7/2025

3/11/2025

12/31/2024 Summer 2025

Star Rating

Fall 2025 9/5/2025

9/9/2025

6/30/2025 Winter 2025 Star Rating
Analysis for each harvest is based on a 36-month window. 

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 Quality Improvement Webinar

August 28 at 3 p.m. ET • 2 p.m. CT

Canceled

GTSD Monthly Webinar

September 10 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

September 25 at 3 p.m. ET • 2 p.m. CT

Canceled

GTSD Monthly Webinar

October 8 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

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.

2024 Harvest

TermHarvest Submission Window CloseOpt-Out Date
Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 
Report PostingComments
Spring 20244/19/20244/23/202412/31/2023Summer 2024 
Fall 20249/30/202410/4/20246/30/2024Winter 2024 

 

2025 Harvest

TermHarvest Submission Window CloseOpt-Out Date
Includes Procedures Performed Through:
 
Report PostingComments
Spring 20254/11/20254/15/202512/31/2024Summer 2025 
Fall 20259/26/2025

9/30/2025

6/30/2025Winter 2025 
Analysis for each harvest is based on a 48-month window.

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

September 16 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

CHSD Monthly Webinar

October 21 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

CHSD Monthly Webinar

November 18 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

CHSD Monthly Webinar

December 17 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

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

Intermacs Database

Intermacs Webinars

Intermacs User Group Call

August 27 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

Intermacs User Group Call

September 24 at 2 p.m. ET • 1 p.m. CT

Canceled

Intermacs User Group Call

October 29 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

Intermacs User Group Call

November 26 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

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