Sarasota, Fla. (Sep. 4, 2025) Sarasota Memorial Hospital has been ranked #1 in the nation for preventing readmissions among heart bypass patients, according to Becker’s Hospital Review, with federal data showing SMH with the lowest rate of unplanned hospital visits following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery of all hospitals evaluated.
In the latest publicly reported data set released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), SMH reported the nation’s lowest readmission rate of 7.8% for CABG patients, significantly lower than the national average of 10.6%, according to Becker’s analysis of CMS data covering more than 4,700 U.S. hospitals performing heart surgery.
“Heart bypass is one of the most complex procedures in medicine, and the quality-of-care patients receive before, during and after surgery, makes all the difference in their recovery and quality of life,” said James Fiorica, MD, chief medical officer at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. “The superior outcomes our cardiac surgeons achieve reflect the exceptional skill and dedication of our entire team and their commitment to provide safe, evidence-based care and support every step of the way.”
In its 2025 update, CMS reports that unplanned hospital visits (readmissions) following surgery often can be prevented with high quality inpatient care, stating: “Returning to the hospital for unplanned care disrupts patients’ lives, increases their risk of harmful events like healthcare-associated infections, and costs more money. Hospitals that give high quality care can keep patients from returning to the hospital and reduce their stay length if they have to come back.”
To view a list of hospitals with the 10 lowest rates of unplanned hospital visit among CABG patients, click here.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (smh.com)
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1925, SMH is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025 and encouraging community members to visit smh.com/100 throughout the year for centennial events and updates.