Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) has selected Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.
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 Surgery1 and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons2.
Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation.
RRMC is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross for meeting the robust selection criteria for knee and hip replacements set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
“Rutland Regional Medical Center has been recognized as among the best in the nation for knee and hip replacement surgeries” said Claudio Fort, President and CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center. “This would not be possible without the coordinated efforts of our highly professional and devoted team. Everything they do is to ensure the best comfort and care for our patients. We are grateful to be recognized for their outstanding care.”
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver.
“We’re pleased to recognize RRMC’s demonstrated expertise in performing total knee and total hip replacements,” said Dr. Joshua Plavin, Vice President and Chief Medical Director at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. “Their commitment to excellence has resulted in higher patient satisfaction, fewer complications, and lower rates of hospital readmission for these surgeries compared to many peer facilities nationwide. These measurable successes have earned RRMC this designation as Blue Distinction Center for Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement surgeries.”
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
About Rutland Regional Medical Center
Rutland Regional Medical Center founded in 1896, is the largest community hospital and second largest healthcare facility in Vermont, with a medical staff of 256 physicians trained in 37 specialty areas. With a strong patient focus, consistent quality performance, nursing excellence, and award-winning care. Rutland Regional remains dedicated to improving the health of families and individuals throughout Rutland County and beyond.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is Vermont’s only local, not-for-profit health plan. For over 70 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont has been enhancing the health and well-being of the Vermonters by offering innovative plans to individuals, seniors and businesses. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is dedicated to developing new ways to support high quality care and programs and events that promote wellness. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.bcbsvt.com.
Connect with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont:
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1 J Bone Joint Surg Am, The Role of Overweight and Obesity in Relation to the More Rapid Growth of Total Knee Arthroplasty Volume Compared with Total Hip Arthroplasty Volume, 2014 Jun 04; 96 (11): 922 -928. http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.L.01731
2 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Annual Incidents of Common Musculoskeletal Procedures and Treatment, 2014 March; http://www.aaos.org/research/stats/CommonProceduresTreatments-March2014.pdf
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for nearly 105 million members – one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog, for up-to-date information about BCBSA.
About Blue Distinction Centers
Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable health care. Each facility’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Facilities in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.
Source: Rutland, Vt., October 1, 2019–Rutland Regional Medical Center