Shakopee (January 27, 2010)—St. Francis Regional Medical Center has been designated as a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement. Blue Distinction recognizes medical facilities nationally that have demonstrated a commitment to providing quality care, resulting in better outcomes for patients. The program is part of The Blues® efforts to collaborate with physicians and medical facilities to improve the overall quality and safety of specialty care.
“This national distinction recognizes our demonstrated expertise in offering comprehensive total knee and hip replacements,” said Mike Baumgartner, President of St. Francis Regional Medical Center. “We are extremely proud of the talent and collaborative efforts of our orthopedic teams, surgical support team, nursing, physical therapy, anesthesiology and patient safety in ensuring our patients receive a positive, quality experience.”
Blue Distinction Center Awards - In addition to St. Francis Regional Medical Center being recognized with Blue Distinction Center honors, owners Allina Hospitals & Clinics and Park Nicollet Health Services also received designations. Five Allina hospitals and Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital were recognized with Blue Distinction Center honors.
Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians’ and leading professional organizations' recommendations. This quality designation helps consumers make better, informed decisions in selecting providers while improving the overall delivery of patient care. Research has shown that patients at Blue Distinction facilities spend less time in the hospital following surgery, and also experience much lower readmissions rates and fewer medical complications. Individual outcomes may vary. To find out which services are covered under your policy at any facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan.
For a detailed summary of the criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Surgery, visit www.BCBS.com/bluedistinction.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.8 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to www.bluecrossmn.com to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Each BlueCross and Blue Shield plan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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