News

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) has designated St. Francis Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement.

Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate their commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for knee and hip replacement surgery patients. St. Francis Hospital meets evidence-based clinical criteria, developed in collaboration with expert physicians’ and medical organizations, and is subject to periodic re-evaluation as criteria continue to evolve, who undergo knee and hip replacement procedures. These facilities have also demonstrated experience in offering comprehensive inpatient knee and hip replacement services, including total knee replacement and total hip replacement.

“We strive for the best clinical outcomes at the St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute. Becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement confirms to us we are doing the right things for our patients. Our top priority is top quality patient care,” says St. Francis’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bobbi Farber. 

The St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute offers a full range of knee and hip replacement services, including inpatient care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up and patient education. The institute also offers shoulder and elbow surgery, foot and ankle surgery, general orthopaedics and fractures; arthroscopic surgery, trauma, occupational injuries and sports medicine. 

“Blue Distinction will assist members in choosing a facility or physician that best meets their medical needs,” said Dr. Bob McCormack, medical director, BCBSGA. “This program provides easy access to evidence-based health information about physicians and institutions that meet clinically-validated, quality standards, and deliver better overall outcomes in patient care – giving members the confidence needed to make important decisions surrounding their health.”

To be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery, St. Francis Hospital met the selection criteria posted at www.BCBS.com, which includes:

• An established knee and hip replacement program, performing required annual volumes for certain procedures each year, with a minimum of 25 each for total hip and total knee replacements
• An experienced knee and hip replacement surgery team, including surgeons with board certification subspecialty fellowship training and case volumes meeting specified requirements
• Pre-operative patient education
• Multi-disciplinary teams and clinical pathways to coordinate and streamline care
• Use of an internal registry or database to track patient outcomes over time
• Participation in the Surgical care Improvement Project with ≥ 90 percent performance on process measures

The full list of Blue Distinction selection criteria is available to the public at www.BCBS.com/bluedistinction.

Blue Distinction is a designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality healthcare. The designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based selection criteria established in collaboration with expert physicians’ and medical organizations’ recommendations. Today, more than 1,000 Blue Distinction Center designations have been awarded to facilities nationwide, providing consumers with a framework for making informed decisions on where to go for specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, transplants, and now spine surgery and knee and hip replacement.

About St. Francis Hospital

St. Francis Hospital is not-for-profit, faith-based hospital in Columbus, Georgia.  Founded by a diverse group of community leaders in 1950, St. Francis has become southwestern Georgia’s leading health care organization and the only area hospital offering open heart surgery.  It is a 376-bed facility, offering a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency room services, from mammography at the Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center for Breast Health, assisted living at Franciscan Woods and mental health programs at the Bradley Center to open heart surgery at the Patrick Heart Institute and orthopaedics at the St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute. With more than 1900 employees, 300 physicians and the latest technology, we strive to help you regain and maintain your health. Our overriding goal is to provide you with the best possible care. We care for life.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association® . The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is available at www.bcbsga.com

Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading professional organizations’ recommendations. Individual outcomes may vary. To find out which services are covered under your policy at any facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan.