The STS National Database: current changes and challenges for the new millennium

Background. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) established the National Database (NDB) for Cardiac Surgery in 1989. Since then it has grown to be the largest database of its kind in medicine. The NDB has been one of the pioneers in the analysis and reporting of risk-adjusted outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery. Methods and Results. This report explains the numerous changes in the NDB and its structure that have occurred over the past 2 years. It highlights the benefits of these changes, both to the individual member participants and to the STS overall. Additionally, the vision changes to the NDB and reporting structure are identified. The individuals who have participated in this effort since 1989 are acknowledged, and the STS owes an enormous debt of gratitude to each of them. Conclusions. Because of their collective efforts, the goal to establish the STS NDB as a “gold standard” worldwide for process and outcomes analysis related to cardiothoracic surgery is becoming a reality.