Mercy Earns Blue Distinction® Center Designation for Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement Surgeries

Mercy Medical Center

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care 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 Surgery and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

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.

“Mercy Medical Center is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for meeting the robust selection criteria for knee and hip replacements set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program,” said Asha Dhamija, MD, MPH, CHCQM, Chief Medical Officer, Mercy Medical Center and Johnson Memorial Hospital. “This recognition serves as independent confirmation of the Mercy Orthopedic Care Center’s commitment to quality and service excellence in knee and hip replacement surgeries.”

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 health care professionals to improve the care they deliver.