French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) is proud to announce Blue Shield of California has designated the hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care. To date, 433 facilities nationwide have received this designation.
Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care are honored for demonstrating commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for cardiac patients. FHMC meets evidence-based clinical criteria, developed in collaboration with expert physicians’ groups and medical organizations, including the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). (These organizations have provided information and input, but do not formally endorse the Blue Distinction Centers program.)
“It’s truly an honor to have been recognized by Blue Shield with this prestigious designation,” said FHMC’s CEO Alan Iftiniuk. “We’ve long been known for our outstanding cardiac services and team, and it’s gratifying to be acknowledged in this way.”
The Copeland, Forbes & Rossi Cardiac Care Center at FHMC offers comprehensive cardiac care services, including inpatient cardiac care, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgery (including coronary artery bypass graft surgery).
“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, French Hospital Medical Center 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
Blue Distinction is a designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality healthcare. Today, more than 1,600 Blue Distinction Center designations have been awarded to facilities nationwide, providing consumers with a framework for making informed decisions on where to go for specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, and transplants.
Note: 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 contact your health plan.
