St. Luke's Recognized for Quality Cardiac Care
Posted on Oct 4, 2013
By St. Luke's, Duluth MN
Cardiac care at St. Luke's has been recognized as delivering excellent
patient safety and health outcomes.
The recognition comes in the form of a designation as a Blue Distinction
Center for Cardiac Care, an award bestowed by health insurance company
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Dr. Scott Mikesell, St. Luke's Cardiology Associates, said: "This
designation demonstrates the continued effort from a teamwork point of
view to provide excellent cardiac care for our patients, from the clinic
and the hospital to rehab and the Emergency Department and all procedures
and care in between. St. Luke's has a marvelous approach to our cardiovascular
care and that shows in this respect."
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).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota developed the Blue Distinction
Centers program in 2006 to help patients find quality health care providers
for their specialty care needs.
"I want to congratulate St. Luke's Hospital for meeting these
high standards in cardiac care," said Dr. Larry Lee, executive medical
director for provider relations and quality at Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of Minnesota.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota says 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.
St. Luke's was also recognized earlier this year as a Blue Distinction
Center+ for hip and knee replacements.
Below: Dr. Scott Mikesell