St. Mary's Medical Center ends pediatric heart surgery program, cites 'inaccurate' media findings

St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach announced Monday it is ending its pediatric cardiothoracic surgery program. The announcement comes months after a CNN report that said the program's mortality rate was three times the national average. In a statement, St. Mary's blamed "inaccurate media reports" for the closure, saying the reports made it "significantly more challenging to build a sustainable volume." "We are proud of the work that has been done and the lives that have been saved," the statement said. "This is the decision of the hospital and not based on a decision or recommendation by the State of Florida or any regulatory agency."