Parkridge Medical Center Designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement^SM

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.  - BlueCross and BlueShield of Tennessee has designated Parkridge Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement.  Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement are part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s expansion of its Blue Distinction® designation.

“Parkridge Medical Center is proud to be recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement,” said President and CEO Darrell Moore. “This designation reflects our hospital’s outstanding commitment to quality patient care and outcomes.”

Parkridge Medical Center offers comprehensive knee and hip replacement services, including minimally invasive procedures such as partial knee replacement, anterior approach hip replacement, hip resurfacing and complex revision surgery.

“We are constantly working on many fronts to improve the quality of health care delivery in our state and the Blue Distinction Centers program is one way to support this effort,” said Robert Mandel, MD, senior vice president of health care services for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.  “We are pleased to award this designation and to provide the peace of mind to our members that comes from knowing that their health care facility has met the Program’s rigorous standards of care.”

The selection criteria used to evaluate facilities were developed with input from a panel of expert physicians.  To be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, the following types of criteria were evaluated.  More information on selection criteria is available on www.bcbs.com:

• Established acute care inpatient facility, including intensive care, emergency care, and a full range of patient support services with full accreditation by a CMS-deemed national accreditation organization
• Experience and training of program surgeons, including case volume
• Quality management programs, including surgical checklists as well as tracking and evaluation of clinical outcomes and process of care
• Multi-disciplinary clinical pathways and teams to coordinate and streamline care, including transitions of care
• Shared decision making and preoperative patient education

The Blue Distinction designation is awarded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality healthcare in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacement, spine surgery and transplants. The program is part of The Blues® efforts to collaborate with physicians and medical facilities to improve the overall quality and safety of specialty care.

The additional Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement designations will bring the nation’s number of Blue Distinction designations to more than 1,600—and this number is expected to increase in the coming years. 

About Parkridge Medical Center
Parkridge Medical Center has been providing advanced medical and surgical services with compassionate care to patients in the Chattanooga and north Georgia area since 1971. The Parkridge advantage is our focus on service, individualized care and convenience for our patients. The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, an American College of Surgeons approved and commended oncology program, offers the latest in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Parkridge, an Accredited Chest Pain Center, also provides 24-hour emergency care, intensive care, Acute Rehab, surgical services, vascular care, orthopaedics, a sleep disorders center, and comprehensive cardiac care including diagnostic, surgical and rehabilitation services. Parkridge is home to the region’s most experienced robotic surgery team, with over 1000 surgeries performed to date. For more information, visit www.parkridgemedicalcenter.com or call TriStar MedLine at (423) 622-6848.

About BlueCross
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers its clients peace of mind through affordable solutions for health and healing, life and living. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company is focused on reinventing the health plan for both its 3 million Tennessee-based members as well as consumers across the country. Through its personal health advocacy approach, BlueCross is developing patient-centric products and services that positively impact affordability, patient safety and quality. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.bcbst.com.

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 call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan.