Labette Health Designated a Blue Distinction Center For Knee and Hip Replacement

PARSONS, Kan., May 6, 2010 – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas announced that Labette Health has been designated a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement as part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s expansion of its Blue Distinction® program, according to Andrew C. Corbin, BCBSKS president/CEO.

“Earning the Blue Distinction designation takes a tremendous commitment to evidence-based health and medical information, and superior patient outcomes,” Corbin said, noting that only three hospitals in the company’s 103-county service area have successfully gone through the rigors of achieving this designation. “To earn this designation, Labette Health met clinically validated quality standards and delivered better overall outcomes in patient care.

“Everyone at Labette Health, especially those directly responsible for its knee and hip replacement program, should be proud to be a Blue Distinction Center,” he said.

The Joint Replacement Center at Labette Health focuses on providing seamless, coordinated care, teaming experienced orthopedic specialists with highly trained nurses, therapists and technicians. Exercise and therapy are provided in a group setting, allowing patients to encourage and support each other on the road to recovery. Family members and other “coaches” are encouraged to participate and multiple educational opportunities are provided to patients and their family members.

“Labette Health is proud to be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement,” said Tom Macaronas, interim chief executive officer.  “As Labette Health is

driven by quality outcomes, this designation is a testament to the skills, training and dedication of the surgeons who practice here and the entire staff who care for our patients. This also confirms our belief that Labette Health does provide the highest level of patient-centered care for our southeast Kansas friends and neighbors, right here in Parsons, Kansas.”

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:

• 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 health care 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.

Dr. William L. Dillon, right, talks about the success of Labette Health's Joint Replacement Center as he and SEK Orthopedic Clinic colleagues Dr. Brad Meister, left, and Dr. Kevin Mosier participated in a reception celebrating the designation. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Corbin, below, made the presentation.