Delray Beach, FL – Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) selects Delray Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care 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.

“We are so proud to be recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for both knee and hip replacements,” said Maggie Gill, chief executive officer for the Palm Beach Health Network and Delray Medical Center.  “Our patients have a choice, and they deserve to know how we rank against our peers when it comes to delivering high-quality, safe care with good outcomes. This recognition is yet another affirmation of the high standards of patient care our physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff are committed to providing – and exceeding – every day.”

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 readmissions. Designated facilities include hospitals (with and without an onsite Intensive Care Unit) and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC). All designated facilities must maintain national accreditation and ASCs are also required to have an advanced orthopedic certification.

Knee and hip replacement procedures remain some of the most commonly performed, elective surgical procedures in the U.S., according to a 2018 study released by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In 2014, there were 370,770 total hip replacements and 680,150 total knee replacements.1

The Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment, and recovery. Research for many of these programs shows that, compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate higher quality and improved outcomes for patients.

Delray Medical Center is proud to be recognized by BCBSA for meeting the robust selection criteria for knee and hip replacements set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.  For more information about Delray Medical Center’s orthopedic services, or to speak with our orthopedic navigator, go to www.delraymedicalctr.com or call 561-637-5197.