Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has recognized St. Joseph Mercy Oakland as one of the first hospitals in the nation to receive a Blue Distinction Center+SM designation in the area of 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. This year, the national program has added a new designation level, Blue Distinction Centers+, to recognize hospitals that deliver both quality and cost-efficient specialty care.
Research shows that Blue Distinction Centers+ demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications following certain cardiac procedures and lower rates of health care associated infections, compared with their peers. Blue Distinction Centers+ are also 20 percent more cost-efficient for those same procedures.
“St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is honored to be designated a Blue Distinction Center+ for our expertise in cardiac care,” said Jack Weiner, SJMO President and CEO. “This distinction lets the public know that when they come to St. Joe’s, they are getting the best value for their care combined with the highest levels of quality outcomes and patient safety.”
The award-winning cardiovascular program at St. Joe continues to expand and offer the most advanced treatment options available, including the recent addition of minimally invasive valve surgery.
SJMO has been honored nine times with a national award for excellence in cardiovascular care and twice as a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital. SJMO is distinguished as a Truven Health Analytics Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care, and a Leapfrog Top Hospital for patient safety and quality.