FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cheri Russum, Public Relations Manager, 425-304-0591
May 10, 2007 Providence Everett Medical Center Named Blue Distinction CenterSM for Cardiac Care Everett, WA – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has named Providence Everett Medical Center as a Blue Distinction CenterSM for Cardiac Care. In is the only hospital in Snohomish, Skagit, and Island Counties to receive this honor.
Blue Distinction is a nationwide program that creates an unprecedented level of healthcare transparency for consumers and providers. Driven by quality, collaboration and affordability, Blue Distinction strengthens consumer engagement and provider partnerships through new specialty centers which offer the best practices and standards of care in cardiac services.
“Our physicians, nurses and staff work hard every day to provide safe, quality, compassionate patient care. The Blue Distinction recognizes the high standard of care they deliver and provides a high level of confidence for patients who choose Providence Everett as their health care provider,” said Gail Larson, CEO of Providence Everett Medical Center.
The process used to select Blue Distinction CentersSM is based on clinical data supplied by hospitals. Each facility’s structures, processes and care outcomes are rigorously evaluated. The criteria for designation include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and professional organizations.
“Blue Distinction puts a high value on research and evidenced-based health and medical information,” says Allan Korn, MD, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association chief medical officer. “These 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 outcomes in patient care.”
The criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac CareSM include:
• Full-service, accredited inpatient hospital facility;
• Program must be performing a required volume of percutaneous coronary interventions (angioplasty) and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries and provide a full range of services including inpatient cardiac care and cardiac rehabilitation;
• Sub-specialty board certification of cardiac team members;
• Ongoing quality management and improvement programs; and
• Cardiac care processes and outcomes for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft surgery including evaluation of complication and mortality rates.
For more information about cardiac services at Providence Everett Medical Center, call 425-261-3900. For more information about Blue Distinction Centers, visit www.bcbs.com
Providence Everett Medical Center is a regional referral center serving five counties with comprehensive, not-for-profit, mission-based health care. In addition to its award-winning cardiac and vascular care, Providence Everett Medical Center also offers general medical and surgical care, and specialized treatment in areas such as oncology, newborn intensive care, trauma, and pediatrics. Providence Everett Medical Center has three hospital campuses located in Everett at 1321 Colby, 916 Pacific Avenue and 12800Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek.
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