The Blue Distinction® Designation Aids Consumers and Employers in Choosing High-Performing Hospitals
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (June 17, 2013) – BlueCross BlueShield of Tennesseehas named Parkridge Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center in Knee and Hip Replacement. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program is a national designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality specialty care – which expanded recently to include more robust quality measures focused on improved patient health and safety.
Since 2006, consumers, medical providers and employers have relied on the Blue Distinction program to identify hospitals delivering quality care in several different specialties. The selection criteria used to evaluate facilities were developed with input from the medical community, and include general quality and safety metrics plus program specific metrics. Parkridge Medical Center is proud to have met the rigorous selection criteria set by the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program.
“We are proud to receive this recognition from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, as it acknowledges our commitment to providing patients with high quality care,” said Darrell Moore, president and CEO of Parkridge Health System.
“BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is proud to congratulate Parkridge Medical Center on this distinction,” said Dan Barnett, interim chief medical officer for BlueCross. “It is important that we recognize the good work that these hospitals are doing as they focus on achieving top quality care. It provides our members with the peace of mind they need when making medical care decisions. These hospitals are leading the way to a new level of quality here in Tennessee.”
Research confirms that the newly designated Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications and readmissions than their peers. The program provides consumers with tools to help them make better informed healthcare decisions. These results will also enable employers, working with their local Blue Plan, to tailor benefits to meet their individual quality objectives.