Four Memorial Hermann Hospitals Have Been Designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care®

HOUSTON (May 20, 2010)

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has designated Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital as Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care. To date, more than 400 facilities nationwide have received a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care designation.

Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care demonstrate their commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for cardiac patients. To receive the designation, the four Memorial Hermann campuses had to meet evidence-based clinical criteria developed in collaboration with expert physicians and medical organizations, including the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), and are subject to periodic re-evaluation as criteria continue to evolve.*

More specifically, Memorial Hermann was required to meet the following selection criteria to be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care:

  • An established cardiac care program, performing required annual volumes for certain procedures (e.g. a minimum of 125 cardiac surgical procedures annually, including both CABG and/or valve surgery)
  • Appropriate experience of its cardiac team, including sub-specialty board certification for interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons
  • An established acute care inpatient facility, including intensive care, emergency and a full range of cardiac services
  • Full accreditation by The Joint Commission, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) or national equivalent
  • Low overall complication and mortality rates
  • A comprehensive quality management program

Blue Distinction is a designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care. The designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based selection criteria established in collaboration with expert physicians' and medical organizations' recommendations. Today, more than 800 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, and transplants.

* These organizations have provided information and input, but do not formally endorse the Blue Distinction Centers program.

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.