Surgery Center Cedar Rapids (SCCR) is pleased to announce it has been awarded the Blue Distinction Centers+ recognition by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Blue Distinction Centers+ have a proven history of delivering exceptional care and results, and demonstrate more affordable care in addition to quality care, treatment expertise and better overall patient results.
Surgery Center Cedar Rapids is the only Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) in Eastern Iowa with this distinction, and the only ASC in the state that also has the “+” distinction, indicating efficiency in our patient care as well. Surgery Center Cedar Rapids’ proven history of providing exceptional care and results to patients in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and the surrounding area reflects this high honor.
“Surgery Center Cedar Rapids is humbled by receiving this Blue Distinction + from Blue Cross Blue Shield,” said Julie Brinegar, executive director of Surgery Center of Cedar Rapids. “For almost six years, Surgery Center Cedar Rapids has been providing high quality, lower cost, care to our Total Knee and Total Hip replacement patients. This distinction validates the exceptional care we provide to our patients and is a testimony to the expert surgeons and staff working at Surgery Center Cedar Rapids who care for our patients every day.”
Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show expertise in delivering high-quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations. Only those facilities that first meet nationally established quality and cost measures for Blue Distinction Centers are considered for designation as Blue Distinction Centers+.
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 on-site 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. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are, on average, 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other facilities.
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.
About SCCR:
As a multi-specialty surgical facility, Surgery Center Cedar Rapids is a leader in the national trend toward surgical procedures being performed outside hospital operating rooms. Some of the advantages to choosing this kind of outpatient care include:
- Efficiency: Turn-around time between surgeries is as much as three times faster than at hospitals, which means less waiting for patients.
- Affordability: SCCR’s costs are much lower than at a hospital or hospital-based facility. Patient co-pays and out-of-pocket costs are often 30-40 percent less.
- Dependability: Scheduled surgery times are not likely to be delayed or bumped by non-related emergencies, as they may be at hospitals.
SCCR is staffed by over 90 highly trained administrative and clinical associates along with a dedicated team of associates that includes physician specialists, registered nurses, certified surgical technicians and certified sterilization personnel.
