Mike DeWitt
Metro Health Hospital is home to some of the best maternity care and hip and knee replacements in the country. Recently, Metro Health received Blue Distinction Center status, a national designation program from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), for their exceptional treatment.
“The Blue Distinction Center designation lets our members know where they can go in Michigan to receive high-quality care that meets robust clinical standards,” said David Share, MD, MPH, and senior vice president at Blue Cross.
As a first time winner, Metro earned the award based on a number of measurements from BCBSM. BCBSM hands out the awards based on a combination of publicly available data and information it compiles from its subscribers’ medical claims. The examined data includes clinical measures, patient outcomes, and the cost of care. Patient satisfaction scores and patients’ willingness to recommend the hospital are also taken into account.
“Awards such as these from BCBSM are meaningful to the hospital for multiple reasons,” said PR Director Ellen Bristol in and email with WKTV News. “They confirm our teams are providing quality care to patients and they boost morale and a sense of pride among employees and physicians.”
Both award distinctions from BCBSM carried different criteria. The Spartan Stores Family Childbirth Center at Metro Health excelled in areas of early elective delivery and for maintaining programs that promote successful breastfeeding as well as requirements for cost efficiency.
Knee and hip replacements are the fastest growing medical treatments in the country, the BCBSM distinction recognizes Metro as a leader in safe and high-quality specialty hip and knee care.
“The recognition helps patients be confident in the organization and the people who are caring for them,” said Bristol. “Plus, they confirm to physicians that the hospital can provide their patients with the high quality care they want for their patients”
With an annual patient count of over 250,000 across West Michigan, a little recognition is just a reminder of the great work they do every day.
