Facilities selected as national Blue Distinction Centers for cardiac care and bariatric surgery meet or exceed certain criteria that demonstrate reliability in delivering care and better overall outcomes for patients. The criteria include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and national organizations. The process for selection is based on clinical data supplied by the hospitals.

Cardiac Care facilities must:

• Be accredited inpatient hospitals
• Provide a full range of cardiac services
• Meet certain outcomes and volume requirements for specific procedures and surgeries

A Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery must be a full-service, accredited inpatient hospital which has been performing bariatric surgery for the most recent 18- to 24-month period, meeting a required volume of bariatric surgical cases.

Blue Distinction Centers include:

For a complete listing of Blue Distinction Centers across the United States, visit www.bcbsa.com and select Blue Distinction.

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