BGMC and MFSH Earn Blue Distinction® Center Designation for Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement and Center+ Designation for Quality and Cost-Efficiency in Spine Surgery |
Released: 5/12/2016 |
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BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York has selected Buffalo General Medical Center and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital as a Blue Distinction® Center for Knee and Hip Replacement and a Blue Distinction Center+ for Spine Surgeries, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.
Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation.
Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ for Spine Surgery demonstrate expertise in cervical and lumbar fusion, cervical laminectomy and lumbar laminectomy/discectomy procedures, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions compared to other hospitals. Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other hospitals.
“We are honored to receive such recognition,” said Jody L. Lomeo, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. “Such highly regarded national acknowledgment for a local program speaks volumes about the high level of quality care provided at our hospitals. This is really a testament to the nurses, physicians and staff with the orthopaedic program”
“We are pleased that Buffalo General and Millard Fillmore Suburban have been recognized for their quality knee and hip replacement and spine surgeries,” said Dr. Thomas Schenk, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “As part of the BlueCross BlueShield network, they are a valued provider of quality care for our members.”
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.