Designation Recognizes High Performing Hospitals for Quality and Efficiency
LATHAM, NY—BlueShield of Northeastern New York today announced that three area hospitals- Ellis, Saratoga, and St. Peter's- have been named Blue Distinction Centers. Ellis Medicine and Saratoga Hospital were both recognized for quality in Knee and Hip Replacement and Saratoga Hospital was additionally recognized for quality in Spine Surgery. St. Peter's Hospital was named a Blue Distinction Center+ with recognition for excellence in Knee and Hip Replacement. These hospitals are the only local facilities to receive designations for these services.
The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program recognizes hospitals across the country that have a proven track record for delivering better results – including fewer complications and readmissions – than hospitals without these recognitions. Blue Distinction Centers+ meet the same quality criteria as Blue Distinction Centers, but are further recognized for their expertise and efficiency in delivering high quality care that is more affordable for patients.
Since 2006, consumers, medical providers, and employers have relied on the Blue Distinction program to identify hospitals delivering quality care in Bariatric Surgery, Cardiac Care, Complex and Rare Cancers, Knee and Hip Replacements, Spine Surgery, and Transplants. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program was recently expanded to include new cost efficiency measures, as well as more robust quality measures focused on improved patient health and safety.
“Our Blue Distinction program recognizes area hospitals that demonstrate high quality care and cost efficiency, as well as improved patient health and safety,” said Dr. Edward Yoon, Medical Director, BlueShield of New York. “BlueShield is working to transform our health care system so that we reward quality care, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs. All of the recognized hospitals have proven their commitment to this transformation.”
Here's what our recognized partners are saying:
“This Blue Distinction reflects the day-to-day efforts of a caring and organized team,” said Dr. John Herzog, spine surgeon, Saratoga Hospital. “Together, we offer Capital Region patients what they deserve—an emphasis on quality, innovation and achieving the safest and best outcomes.”
"The surgeons and staff of OrthoNY Saratoga region have a wonderful, collaborative relationship with professionals across multiple Saratoga Hospital departments”, said Dr. Lawrence H. Fein, orthopedic surgeon, Saratoga Hospital. "We meet at least monthly to continually fine-tune and improve service, quality and integration of care. That emphasis on continuous improvement is the reason Saratoga Hospital has earned this designation twice.”
“We are extremely proud of the recognition of Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement,” said Holly Klingenberg PT, DPT, director of the Orthopedic Service Line at Ellis Medicine. “This honor exemplifies the excellent work of our physicians, physician assistants, nurses, therapists and support staff who have developed a comprehensive joint replacement program to help members of our community reduce pain and return to normal activity.”
Since 2006, consumers, medical providers, and employers have relied on the Blue Distinction program to identify hospitals delivering quality care in Bariatric Surgery, Cardiac Care, Complex and Rare Cancers, Knee and Hip Replacements, Spine Surgery, and Transplants. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program was recently expanded to include new cost efficiency measures, as well as more robust quality measures focused on improved patient health and safety.
Ellis, Saratoga, and St. Peter's are the only Albany area hospitals to receive recognition for these services and among only eight in New York State to receive the Spine Surgery designation and twenty-one to receive the Knee and Hip Replacement distinction statewide.
Blue Distinction Center Hospitals
Spine Surgery
Knee and Hip Replacement
Ellis Medicine
Saratoga Hospital
Blue Distinction Center+ Hospitals
Spine Surgery
Knee and Hip Replacement
St. Peter's Hospital
For more information about the Blue Distinction Program and to see a list of Blue Distinction
Centers in your area, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
About BlueShield of Northeastern New York: BlueShield of Northeastern New York is a division of HealthNow New York Inc., one of New York's leading health care companies that provides access to quality health care and innovative solutions for members throughout upstate New York. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, the company is an independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. Since 1946, BlueShield has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. Today, we offer a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as life and disability coverage, dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. The company contributes significantly to organizations that promote physical health, community health and our region's health and is a five time winner of the Business Review's Best Places to Work. BlueShield believes in taking small steps towards healthier living because - Healthy Changes Everything?. For more information visit www.bsneny.com.
About Saratoga Hospital: Saratoga Hospital is the Saratoga region's leading healthcare provider. The only acute-care facility in Saratoga County, the hospital has a medical staff of over 450 physicians and other credentialed providers, offering care in a broad range of medical specialties. In keeping with its emphasis on quality, Saratoga Hospital was the first in the Capital Region to earn Magnet Designation for nursing excellence. The hospital achieved redesignation in 2010. Hospital facilities include: Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Care Nursing Home, Wilton Medical Arts, Malta Medical Arts, Saratoga Surgery Center, Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center, Saratoga Family Physicians, The Saratoga Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Saratoga Hospital Pain Management Center, Saratoga Family Health, Schuylerville Family Health and Galway Family Health. For more information, go to www.saratogahospital.org.
About Ellis Hospital: Ellis Medicine is a 455-bed community and teaching healthcare system serving New York's Capital Region. With three campuses – Ellis Hospital, Ellis Health Center and Bellevue Woman's Center – Ellis Medicine provides a lifetime of care for patients.