Exeter Hospital Awarded Blue Distinction Center of Excellence for Knee and Hip Replacement(SM)

EXETER, N.H., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Citing clinical expertise and quality of care, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire has designated Exeter Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement(SM).  Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate an expertise and reliability in quality specialty care on a consistent basis, resulting in better overall outcomes for patients.

This designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based selection criteria established in collaboration with expert physician and medical organization recommendations.  

"This recognition is a tribute to the extraordinary capabilities of our staff," said Kevin J. Callahan, President and Chief Executive Officer at Exeter Hospital. "With a relentless focus on continuously improving the care provided to patients in need of knee and hip replacement surgeries, Exeter Hospital and its team of clinicians have again elevated the Art of Wellness for the Seacoast region."

"We are extremely proud of this achievement at Exeter Hospital," said Tom McGovern, M.D., Core Physicians and Medical Director of Exeter Hospital's Center for Orthopaedic and Arthritis Care.  "The comprehensive care that our joint replacement patients receive is delivered through a system of care with collaborative efforts by our physicians, orthopaedic certified nurses, physical and occupational therapists, case managers, anesthesiologists; and patient safety and quality. By implementing a rapid recovery protocol, we have been able to achieve an improvement in pain control and earlier mobility for our total joint patients which further supports our mission for providing quality care, higher patient satisfaction and optimum outcomes."

Exeter Hospital's Center for Orthopaedic and Arthritis Care is committed to providing the most innovative and highly advanced treatments, in keeping with best practice models and the latest technologies, while standardizing our approach to care.

"We are always working in collaboration with all NH hospitals and physicians to help improve the quality of care delivered to our members," said Richard Lafleur, M.D., Medical Director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire. "We're sharing this designation with our members so that those whose benefits plans include coverage for these services have the information they need to make important health care decisions for themselves or their family members."

"The Center is dedicated to the belief that by engaging the full spectrum of clinical resources and expertise across our system of care, we can achieve better clinical outcomes, higher levels of patient satisfaction and enhance the lifestyle of our patients," said Loree Hazard, Orthopaedic Service Line Administrator at Exeter Hospital.  "Our program provides extensive patient and family education, program guidance and long term follow-up to insure that our patients continue to progress."

"Blue Distinction puts a high value on research and evidence-based health and medical information," said Douglas J. Wenners, President and General Manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire. "Blue Distinction Centers show our commitment to working with doctors and hospitals in communities across the country to identify leading institutions that meet clinically validated quality standards and deliver better overall outcomes in patient care."

To be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, Exeter Hospital was evaluated on specific criteria and ultimately was awarded the distinction. The criteria are as follows:

• Established acute care inpatient facility, including intensive care, emergency care, and a full range of patient support services with full accreditation by a CMS-deemed national accreditation organization.
• Experience and training of program surgeons, including case volume.
• Quality management programs, including surgical checklists as well as tracking and evaluation of clinical outcomes and process of care.
• Multi-disciplinary clinical pathways and teams to coordinate and streamline care, including transitions of care.
• Shared decision making and preoperative patient education.

Additional information about the selection criteria is available at www.bcbs.com.

For more information about Exeter Hospital's Center for Orthopaedic and Arthritis Care, contact Loree Hazard at 603-580-7244.

About Exeter Hospital

Exeter Hospital is a not-for-profit, community-based hospital that serves residents from 38 towns in New Hampshire's seacoast region.  The hospital's mission is to improve the health of the communities that it serves. The hospital is one of five operating affiliates that make up the Exeter Health Resources system of care, which includes Core Physicians, Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, Synergy Health and Fitness Center and Exeter Healthcare.  For more information, visit www.exeterhospital.com or call 603-778-7311.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire is available at www.anthem.com.

About Blue Distinction Centers

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.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire