Newsworthy

Stormont Vail Health has received a Blue Distinction® Center for Cardiac Care designation by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated providers that meet quality standards and have proven to deliver quality care with safe practices that lead to better health outcomes for patients.

In the United States, one person dies every 34 seconds from a cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care empower patients with the information they need to choose quality, in-network cardiac care. To receive a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care designation, health care facilities must demonstrate expertise in delivering safe and effective cardiac care for:
• Percutaneous coronary interventions
• Coronary artery bypass graft
• Aortic valve replacement

“Recognition of this magnitude is outstanding validation for our team,” said Robert Kenagy, M.D., president and CEO, Stormont Vail Health. “I am proud of our team every day, but when we receive acknowledgements such as these for quality care and exceptional physicians and team members, it is truly something to celebrate.”

Healthcare facilities recognized as Blue Distinction Centers are assessed using quality information supplied by third-party data registries, which are evaluated based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

“We are committed to giving our members access to the best in healthcare and appreciate our provider partners for striving for excellence in the care they provide,” said Matt All, president/CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. “Each facility recognized as a Blue Distinction Center is meeting rigorous quality metrics in all phases of their cardiac care programs and, in doing so, delivering better care for our members and all Kansans.”

Nationally, Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care are providing quality care for patients and have lower in-hospital mortality rates and lower bleeding complication rates for angioplasty than non-Blue Distinction Centers. Designated facilities also meet national standards, with patients facing fewer readmissions and mortality rates for coronary artery bypass graft procedures and heart attacks, compared to facilities that do not meet the criteria.

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, 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, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit www.bcbs.com.