The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has designated Brookwood Medical Center a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care^®.  Blue Distinction^® is a designation awarded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality healthcare. The designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based, objective selection criteria established in collaboration with expert physicians' and medical organizations' recommendations. Its goal is to help consumers find quality specialty care on a consistent basis, while enabling and encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the overall quality and delivery of care nationwide.

Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care^® have demonstrated their commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for cardiac patients. Each facility meets stringent clinical criteria, developed in collaboration with expert physicians' and medical organizations' recommendations, including the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and is subject to periodic reevaluation as criteria continue to evolve.  As a designated Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care^®, Brookwood Medical Center provides a full range of cardiac care services, including inpatient cardiac care, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgery.

The selection criteria used in designating Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care include:

·      an established cardiac care program, performing required annual volumes for certain procedures

·     appropriate experience of its cardiac team, including subspecialty board certification for interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons

·      an established acute care inpatient facility, including intensive care, emergency and a full range of cardiac services

·      full accreditation

·      low overall complication and mortality rates

·      a comprehensive quality management program