Franciscan Health Indianapolis has been designated with a Blue Distinction® Centers for Cardiac Care by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This distinction means the hospital demonstrates expertise in delivering quality specialty care, improved patient safety and better health outcomes based on measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and is expected to claim more than 23.6 million lives annually by 2030. Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care seek to empower patients with the knowledge and tools to find quality cardiac care.
To receive a Blue Distinction Centers designation, hospitals must demonstrate expertise in delivering safe and effective cardiac care, focusing on cardiac valve surgery, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) episodes of care.
“Our Franciscan Health Heart Center cardiovascular physicians and staff are dedicated to delivering the highest level of care to the patients we are privileged to serve,” said James Callaghan, MD, president and CEO for Franciscan Health. “We are pleased their ongoing commitment has been recognized with this honor from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.”
“Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is committed to ensuring that Indiana health care consumers have access to the highest quality medical care,” said Rob Hillman, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. “We congratulate Franciscan Health and appreciate their role in providing outstanding cardiac care for Anthem’s consumers.”
Hospitals recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and third party data registries and cost measures derived from Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies’ medical claims.
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty 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 and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
The latest Anthem designation comes in the wake of other prestigious recognition. Earlier this year Franciscan Health Indianapolis was recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available.
