Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Designated Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac CareŽ

Chicago -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has designated Memorial Hospital of Carbondale as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care. To date, more than 400 facilities nationwide have received a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care designation.

The need for quality cardiac care is urgent: The American Heart Association estimates that this year alone, 1.2 million Americans will experience a first or recurrent heart attack.

Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care demonstrate their commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for cardiac patients. Memorial Hospital of Carbondale meets evidence-based clinical criteria, developed in collaboration with expert physicians’ and medical organizations, including the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), and is subject to periodic re-evaluation as criteria continue to evolve.

“Blue Distinction puts a high value on research and evidence-based health and medical information,” says Allan Korn, MD, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Chief Medical Officer. “Blue Distinction Centers show our commitment to working with doctors and hospitals in communities across the country to identify leading institutions that meet clinically validated quality standards and deliver better overall outcomes in patient care.”

To be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale met the selection criteria posted at www.BCBS.com, which includes:

  • an established cardiac care program, performing required annual volumes for certain procedures (e.g. a minimum of 125 cardiac surgical procedures annually, including both CABG and/or valve surgery)
  • appropriate experience of its cardiac team, including sub-specialty board certification for interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons
  • an established acute care inpatient facility, including intensive care, emergency and a full range of cardiac services
  • full accreditation by The Joint Commission, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) or national equivalent**
  • low overall complication and mortality rates
  • a comprehensive quality management program

The Blue Distinction honor comes on the heels of Memorial Hospital of Carbondale’s national recognition from Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 Hospital for Cardiovascular Care.

 

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. 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.