CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Parkridge Medical Center has been designated a Blue Distinction Center* for Cardiac Care Services by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Research has shown that the care patients at Blue Distinction Centers receive is higher quality and leads to lower rates of infections and other complications compared to patients at other facilities. Parkridge Medical Center is the only healthcare facility in the Chattanooga area so designated.
“This designation validates the commitment of our staff in nursing, surgical services, critical care, and all areas that care for cardiac patients,” said Barry Bell, Director of Cardiac Services at Parkridge Medical Center. “Meeting these goals demonstrates how dedicated we are to saving the lives and improving the outcomes of cardiac patients.”
The Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program highlights healthcare facilities’ performance of several specialty medical procedures, including cardiac care, to help consumers find the best care possible and encourage healthcare professionals to improve overall quality and delivery of care. Blue Distinction Centers are evaluated by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association according to nationally established, objective quality measures, and chosen based on the expertise of the medical team, the number of times the facility has performed the procedure, and the facility’s track record for procedure results.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® companies, and the nation’s oldest and largest family of health benefits companies. BCBSA offers healthcare coverage in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and covers over 105 million Americans.
*Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan, Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Each facility’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Facilities in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.
For more information about Parkridge Health System, visit ParkridgeHealth.com.