Eisenhower Health Named 'Blue Distinction Center'

From Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield of California has selected Eisenhower Health as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery, and Knee and Hip Replacement as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

Blue Distinction Centers® are nationally designated health care facilities that show a commitment to delivering high-quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

Spinal surgeries are one of the most frequent types of elective surgeries in the U.S. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, (AHRQ), there were more than 463,000 spinal fusion operations conducted in the U.S. in 2014, a procedure commonly done in the lumbar region of the lower back to treat back pain.

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 Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers® for Spine Surgery, and for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in their respective areas, resulting in fewer patient complications and readmissions compared to other hospitals. All designated facilities must maintain national accreditation. Additionally, Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement are required to have an advanced orthopaedic certification.

Eisenhower Health is proud to be recognized by Blue Shield of California for meeting the robust selection criteria for spine surgery set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. “Recognition as a Blue Distinction Center in Spine, and Hip and Knee Replacement underscores the leading-edge care our patients have come to expect at Eisenhower Health,” says G. Aubrey Serfling, President and Chief Executive Officer, Eisenhower Health. “Our highly-skilled orthopedic surgeons utilize the latest, state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical technology, helping our patients return to their daily routines faster.”

The Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality care in the areas of bariatric surgery (for which Eisenhower Health is also designated), cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery and transplants. Research for many of these programs shows that, compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate high-quality and improved outcomes for patients.

This press release was produced by Blue Shield of California. The views expressed here are the author's own.