BMC Named Blue Distinction CenterSM for Cardiac Care

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) has named Boston Medical Center (BMC) as a Blue Distinction CenterSM for Cardiac Care.

Blue Distinction is a nationwide program that creates an unprecedented level of healthcare transparency for consumers and providers. Driven by quality, collaboration and affordability, Blue Distinction strengthens consumer engagement and provider partnerships through new specialty centers that offer the best practices and standards of cardiac care.

The process used to select Blue Distinction CentersSM is based on clinical data supplied by hospitals. Each facility’s structure, processes of care and clinical outcomes are rigorously evaluated. The criteria for designation include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and professional organizations. “Blue Distinction puts a high value on evidenced-based healthcare and medical information,” says John Fallon, M.D., Chief Physician Executive at BCBSMA. “These centers show our commitment to working with doctors and hospitals in communities across the country to identify and promote leading institutions that meet clinically validated quality standards and deliver better outcomes in patient care.”

The criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac CareSM include:

  • Full-service, accredited inpatient hospital facility;
  • Program must be performing a required volume of percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft operations. The program must provide a full range of services including inpatient cardiac care and cardiac rehabilitation;
  • Sub-specialty board certification of all members of the cardiac team;
  • Ongoing quality management and improvement programs; and
  • Cardiac care processes and outcomes for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft surgery including evaluation of complication and mortality rates.

For more information about cardiac care at Boston Medical Center, call (800) 682-2862.