Wellmark recognizes six South Dakota facilities for demonstrating quality care in knee and hip replacement surgeries
DES MOINES, IA – Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced six South Dakota hospitals have been designated as Blue Distinction Centers or Blue Distinction Centers+ for the Knee and Hip Replacement program.
Blue Distinction Centers® are nationally designated health care facilities that show expertise in delivering high-quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations. Only those facilities that first meet nationally established quality and cost measures for Blue Distinction Centers are considered for designation as Blue Distinction Centers+.
Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and readmissions. Designated facilities include hospitals (with and without an on-site intensive care unit) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC). All designated facilities must maintain national accreditation, and ASCs are also required to have an advanced orthopedic certification. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are, on average, 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other facilities.
Knee and hip replacement procedures remain some of the most commonly performed, elective surgical procedures in the U.S., according to a 2018 study External Site released by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In 2014, there were 370,770 total hip replacements and 680,150 total knee replacements1.
The following facilities have been designated under the Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement program:
| Hospital | City | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Avera McKennan Hospital | Sioux Falls | Blue Distinction Center+ |
| Avera Sacred Heart Hospital | Yankton | Blue Distinction Center |
| Black Hills Surgical Hospital | Rapid City | Blue Distinction Center+ |
| Sanford USD Medical Center | Sioux Falls | Blue Distinction Center+ |
| Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital | Sioux Falls | Blue Distinction Center+ |
| Siouxland Surgery Center | Dakota Dunes | Blue Distinction Center+ |
The Blue Distinction Specialty Care program remains a trusted and valuable source for patients seeking quality care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery and transplants.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of designated facilities, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction External Site.
