The Sanford USD Medical Center has received a Blue Distinction® Center+ (BDC+) designation for Knee and Hip Replacement by Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
This program identifies hospitals and ambulatory care centers that demonstrate expertise in patient safety, deliver better health outcomes, and are more cost-effective. Quality assessments are based on objective measures developed from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
This designation is a testament to the rigorous standards met by Sanford USD Medical Center. Designated knee and hip replacement facilities deliver high-quality care, with an average of 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications within 90 days after knee and hip replacement surgery. Designated facilities also achieve cost savings of 30% for knee and hip replacements compared to all other facilities for that specialty care area.
Patients treated at designated facilities benefit from the expertise and advanced practices that lead to improved recovery times and reduced complications making a positive difference in their overall health journey.
“Providing excellent patient care is our number one priority at Sanford Health,” said Dean Kusler, vice president of orthopedics and neurology at Sanford Health. “Knee and hip replacements have a tremendous impact on our patients’ lives and this honor demonstrates our team’s continued efforts to meet their needs and improve outcomes.”
Among other criteria, to receive a designation, facilities must:
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Have full accreditation from at least one national accrediting organization as either a hospital or ambulatory surgery center
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Have low complication, mortality and unplanned readmission rates within 90 days after elective primary total knee and hip replacements
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Have enhanced recovery after surgery processes and procedures in place for quality perioperative care
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Participate in Wellmark’s BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Network
By meeting these criteria, Sanford USD Medical Center not only highlights its commitment to high quality health care but also commits to remaining at the forefront of advancements in knee and hip replacements.
To further improve patient outcomes and inform treatment strategies, BCBSA utilized the AAOS and American Joint Replacement Registry for evidence-based performance measures and patient reported outcome measures.
Since 2005, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care—and, for those that meet the program’s cost criteria, at lower costs—in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the quality of care they deliver.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit our website.
All companies and trademarks listed above are the property of their respective owners and used for identification purposes only, and are in no way associated or affiliated with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Use of these trademarks does not imply endorsement. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols and Blue Distinction® are registered trademarks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
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