Huntington Memorial Hospital Recognized for Quality in Cardiac Care

<0> Huntington Memorial HospitalDerek Clark, 626-397-5464 </0>

Blue Shield of California has recognized 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.

“We are very proud of this designation, which is a tribute to the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, technicians and therapists who helped develop Huntington Hospital’s comprehensive programs in cardiac care,” said Steve Ralph, CEO at Huntington Hospital. “Their clinical expertise in this area of specialty care has resulted in better overall results for our patients.”

The Huntington Hospital Heart and Vascular Center is a recognized leader in cardiac care, providing over 2,000 catheterizations and electrophysiology procedures and 42,000 non-invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures each year. Huntington Hospital recently received the Distinguished Hospital Award for clinical excellence, and is recognized for providing a superior level of care and service. The Huntington Hospital Heart and Vascular Center exceeded national standards in nine out of ten clinical measures. The center offers a full spectrum of services, including screening and diagnostic tests, advanced medical and surgical treatments, and cardiac rehabilitation and education programs.

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). Huntington Hospital 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.

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. For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit .

Huntington Memorial Hospital is a 625-bed not-for-profit hospital that is home to the only Level II trauma center and the only Level III NICU in the San Gabriel Valley. In addition to being granted Magnet status in 2011, Huntington Hospital has been ranked nationally by in two specialties and was named the 8 best hospital in California. Renowned for its programs in neurosciences, cardiovascular services and cancer care, Huntington Hospital is an active teaching hospital with graduate medical education programs in internal medicine and general surgery. Consistent with its mission the hospital provides millions of dollars annually in charity care, benefits for vulnerable populations, health research, education and training, and support programs that may otherwise be absent from the community. For more information, go to .

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan with 3 million members, 5,000 employees, and $10.5 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California provides health, life, dental, vision and Medicare insurance and healthcare service plans in California. Blue Shield of California was named one of the in 2012 and 2013. Since 2005 the company has contributed more than $200 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation, . Contact your local agent or broker about Blue Shield of California products and services, or visit .

Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Individual outcomes may vary. National criteria are displayed on . A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area. For details on Local Blue Plan Criteria, a provider’s in-network status, or your own policy’s coverage, please contact your Local Blue Plan. Each hospital’s Cost Index is calculated with data from its Local Blue Plan. Hospitals in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two Cost Index figures; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both Cost Index figures must meet BDC+ national criteria. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for damages or non-covered charges resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.