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Tri-City Medical Center Recognized for Quality in Cardiac Care Hospital Receives the Blue Distinction® designation for delivering quality cardiac procedures

Blue Shield of California has recognized Tri-City Medical Center(www.tricitymed.org) with a Blue Distinction Center® designation for delivering quality cardiac care, as part of the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program. Blue Distinction Centers are hospitals shown to deliver quality specialty care based on objective, transparent measures for patient safety and health outcomes that were developed with input from the medical community.

 

In 2006, the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program was developed to help patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. To receive a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care® designation, a hospital must demonstrate success in meeting both general quality and safety criteria (such as preventing hospital-acquired infections) and cardiac-specific quality measures for cardiac surgical and non-surgical procedures (such as cardiac stent placement).  Tri-City Medical Center is proud to be recognized by Blue Shield of California for meeting the rigorous selection Cardiac Care criteria set by the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program.

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Tri-City Medical Center offers comprehensive cardiac care services, including invasive and non-invasive cardiology; cardiothoracic surgery; interventional radiology; vascular surgery; beating and non-beating heart surgery; and screenings

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“This designation is a tribute to the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, technicians and therapists who helped develop Tri-City Medical Center’s comprehensive programs in cardiac care,” said Larry Anderson, President and CEO of Tri-City Medical Center. “Their clinical expertise in this area of specialty care has resulted in better overall results for our patients.”

 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly 600,000 lives each year. Cardiac procedures, including bypass and cardiac stent placement, are among the most common major medical procedures provided by the US health care system, with more than 1 million procedures performed annually. These cardiac related procedures cost the nation more than $28 billion annually. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program seeks to reduce this burden, by empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to find both quality and value for their cardiac care needs.

 

"Blue Distinction Centers set themselves apart by adhering to best practices in patient safety and surgical care and producing consistently strong outcomes with fewer complications,” said Marcus Thygeson, M.D., senior vice president and chief health officer at Blue Shield. “Blue Shield of California is pleased to recognize the high-quality care that this hospital and these physicians deliver."

 

Research shows that Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications for certain cardiac procedures and lower rates of healthcare associated infections, compared with their peers.

 

The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program identifies hospitals delivering quality care in bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery, and transplants. These specialty areas comprise approximately 30 percent of inpatient hospital expenditures. For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

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