The Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement are recognized for demonstrating their expertise in quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for patients, by meeting objective clinical measures developed in collaboration with expert physicians and medical organizations. Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement provide comprehensive inpatient knee and hip replacement services, including total knee replacement and total hip replacement surgeries.

Medical centers designated Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement

• Arkansas Surgical Hospital LLC in North Little Rock
• Mercy Hospital Fort Smith in Fort Smith
• St Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro
• University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences in Little Rock

The process and criteria for selection
The designation is based on criteria established by expert physician panels and national medical organizations and include:

• Must be an accredited, comprehensive inpatient facility.
• Has a comprehensive quality management program in place.
• Program must be actively performing knee and hip replacement surgery for the most recent 12 uninterrupted months.
• Facility performs at least 100 total knee and total hip replacement surgeries per year, with at least 25 each of total knee and total hip replacements.
• Includes written discharge and follow-up plans, including coordination with primary care providers.
• Detailing all aspects of care, and incorporated into formal development and review process.
• Program should have a written process and data management systems for routinely measuring patient satisfaction for both inpatient and outpatient services.
• Facility is currently contracted with the local Blue Plan and all identified surgeons participate in the local Blue network.
• Has a comprehensive quality management program in place.