BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York has selected Erie County Medical Center Corporation as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities that show a commitment to delivering high-quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.
“ECMC is proud to be recognized by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York for achieving quality outcomes for knee and hip replacements set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. We could not be more proud of our physicians, nurses and orthopedic care team who always strive to provide the very best care to our patients,” said ECMCC President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D.
“We are pleased to recognize Erie County Medical Center for providing exceptional knee and hip replacement care,” said Thomas Schenk, a physician serving as senior vice president and chief medical officer at BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “Having these nationally recognized centers in our network ensures that our members have access to high quality, effective specialty care that they rely on.”
Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers for knee and hip replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. Designated facilities include hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.
Between 2015 and 2019, total hip and knee replacement surgeries combined performed at ECMC increased by 97%, contributing to ECMC’s strong orthopedic service line.