French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC), a Dignity Health Central Coast hospital, announced that it has been selected by Anthem Blue Cross as a Blue Distinction Center+ for knee and hip replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
Hospitals, such as FHMC, 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. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other hospitals.
“French Hospital has long been ranked as a top provider of orthopedic care, and this designation, along with five recent orthopedic recognitions, solidifies our ongoing commitment to the specialized care of orthopedic patients,” says President and CEO Alan Iftiniuk. “We are truly honored to have been recognized by Anthem Blue Cross for meeting the robust selection criteria for knee and hip replacements set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.”
To further exemplify our commitment to the unique needs of orthopedic patients, FHMC recently opened a specialty care wing. The calm and subdued earth tones provide a serene environment conducive to healing and recovery. The new nurses’ station allows for quick and convenient access to patients, and each patient room is appointed with specialized equipment to aid in the recovery process. The updated area also includes an indoor/outdoor physical therapy gym that takes advantage of our moderate climate and provides elevated surface to assist in the post-operative regimen of knee and hip patients.
Knee and hip replacement procedures are among the fastest growing medical treatments in the U.S., according to studies published in the June 2014 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 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. Only facilities that meet nationally established, objective quality measures are considered for designation as a Blue Distinction Center+.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.