Orthopaedic Outpatient Surgery Center – West Des Moines receives Blue Distinction Center designation
DES MOINES, IA – Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has recognized that Orthopaedic Outpatient Surgery Center – West Des Moines has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center 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 that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.
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 onsite 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.
Knee and hip replacement procedures remain some of the most commonly performed, elective surgical procedures in the U.S., according to a 2018 study released by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons External Link. In 2014 there were 370,770 total hip replacements and 680,150 total knee replacements1.
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 Link.
