Aspirus St. Luke's Recognized for Quality Cardiac Care

Cardiac care at Aspirus St. Luke's has been recognized as delivering excellent patient safety and health outcomes.

The recognition comes in the form of a designation as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care, an award bestowed by health insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Dr. Scott Mikesell, Aspirus St. Luke's Cardiology Associates, said: "This designation demonstrates the continued effort from a teamwork point of view to provide excellent cardiac care for our patients, from the clinic and the hospital to rehab and the Emergency Department and all procedures and care in between. Aspirus St. Luke's has a marvelous approach to our cardiovascular care and that shows in this respect."

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).

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota developed the Blue Distinction Centers program in 2006 to help patients find quality health care providers for their specialty care needs.

"I want to congratulate Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital for meeting these high standards in cardiac care," said Dr. Larry Lee, executive medical director for provider relations and quality at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota says 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.

Aspirus St. Luke's was also recognized earlier this year as a Blue Distinction Center+ for hip and knee replacements.