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Tri-City Medical Center recognized for quality in cardiac care

OCEANSIDE — Blue Shield of California has recognized Tri-City Medical Center with a Blue Distinction Center designation for delivering quality cardiac care, as part of the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are hospitals shown to deliver quality specialty care based on objective, transparent measures for patient safety and health outcomes that were developed with input from the medical community.In 2006, the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program was developed to help patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. To receive a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care designation, a hospital must demonstrate success in meeting both general quality and safety criteria (such as preventing hospital-acquired infections) and cardiac-specific quality measures for cardiac surgical and non-surgical procedures (such as cardiac stent placement). Tri-City Medical Center is proud to be recognized by Blue Shield of California for meeting the rigorous selection Cardiac Care criteria set by the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program.

Tri-City Medical Center offers comprehensive cardiac care services, including invasive and non-invasive cardiology; cardiothoracic surgery; interventional radiology; vascular surgery; beating and non-beating heart surgery; and screenings.

“This designation is a tribute to the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, technicians and therapists who helped develop Tri-City Medical Center’s comprehensive programs in cardiac care,” said Larry Anderson, President and CEO of Tri-City Medical Center. “Their clinical expertise in this area of specialty care has resulted in better overall results for our patients.”

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly 600,000 lives each year. Cardiac procedures, including bypass and cardiac stent placement, are among the most common major medical procedures provided by the U.S. health care system, with more than 1 million procedures performed annually. These cardiac related procedures cost the nation more than $28 billion annually. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program seeks to reduce this burden, by empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to find both quality and value for their cardiac care needs.

“Blue Distinction Centers set themselves apart by adhering to best practices in patient safety and surgical care and producing consistently strong outcomes with fewer complications,” said Marcus Thygeson, M.D., senior vice president and chief health officer at Blue Shield. “Blue Shield of California is pleased to recognize the high-quality care that this hospital and these physicians deliver.”

Research shows that Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications for certain cardiac procedures and lower rates of healthcare associated infections, compared with their peers.

The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program identifies hospitals delivering quality care in bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery, and transplants. These specialty areas comprise approximately 30 percent of inpatient hospital expenditures. For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

Tri-City Medical Center has served its community for more than half a century and is a Gold Seal- approved full service, acute- care hospital with two advanced institutes and physicians practicing in 60 specialties. Tri- City Medical Center has become the county’s leader in robotic and minimally invasive surgical technologies, including being the exclusive county-wide provider for the Mazor Renaissance Surgical Guidance System for surgical repair of spinal deformities, injuries and rehabilitation; and the NavioPFS™ system (“Blue Belt”) for robotic knee repair, which is less invasive and preserves the existing knee. Tri-City Medical Center also has the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in North San Diego County, now with the NICView System, a password-protected webcam system that allows parents and relatives to remotely view their newest family member. Tri-City Medical Center was named by the editors of Becker’s Hospital Review both one of the “100 Great Hospitals in America” and one of the “100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare.” Selected from over 5,700 hospitals, Tri-City Medical Center was recognized as an innovator in medical treatments, research, technology and care delivery as well as an anchor of health in the country.

For more information about Tri-City Medical Center and Tri-City Healthcare District, please visit tricitymed.org.

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