HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center has been recognized by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina for outstanding safety and quality in orthopedic surgery with Blue Distinction Center designations for Knee and Hip Replacement and for Spine Surgery.
These recognitions identify hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization Network that demonstrate superior patient safety and health outcomes based on rigorous standards developed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) in partnership with esteemed professional associations.
Blue Distinction Center designation for Knee and Hip Replacement
Expert orthopedic teams at Hilton Head Medical Center perform about 900 joint-replacement surgeries each year. Hospitals and surgery centers designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement are nationally accredited and meet objective, evidence-based measures on performance and patient-reported outcomes developed by BCBSA in partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and using the AAOS American Joint Replacement Registry. This includes low complication, mortality and unplanned readmission rates in the 90 days after elective primary total knee and hip replacements.
Hospitals and surgery centers that receive the designation demonstrate the use of advanced practices to improve recovery times and reduce complications, with an average of 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications in the 90 days after knee or hip replacement surgery.
“This recognition is a testament to the extraordinary care we offer, allowing our patients to get back to the activities that are most important to them,” said Jason Norcross, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center who specializes in hip and knee replacement surgeries and minimally invasive robotic-assisted methods. “With each patient comes the opportunity to help them experience less pain and more mobility and, as a result, healthier lifestyles and better outcomes. We’re proud of the work we do every day to provide high-quality, safe, patient-centered care to meet these rigorous guidelines.”
Blue Distinction Center designation for Spine Surgery
Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center’s expert spine-focused orthopedic team performs about 200 spine surgeries a year. Hospitals and surgery centers designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery are nationally accredited and meet objective measures developed by BCBSA in partnership with AAOS and the American Spine Registry, a resource of AAOS and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The stringent criteria developed from these resources include low complication, mortality and unplanned readmission rates in the 90 days after elective primary spine surgery.
Designees demonstrate the use of advanced practices to improve recovery times and reduce complications, with an average of 28% fewer readmissions and 29% fewer complications within 90 days after spine surgery.
“We recognize the tremendous amount of trust patients place in our teams to deliver the safest, highest quality care possible,” said Jeffery Reuben, MD, spine surgeon at Hilton Head Medical Center, where he also serves on the board. This designation highlights our leading surgical capabilities and celebrates how invested our care teams are in seeing our patients find their path back to wellness – every step of the way from consultation to recovery.”
The Blue Distinction Center recognition program was launched 20 years ago and is designed to guide BCBS members to facilities that consistently deliver exceptional care and value in specialty care areas, including bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery and substance use treatment and recovery. The program also encourages healthcare professionals nationwide to improve the quality and safety of the care they deliver.
About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of nearly 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 41,000 team members along with more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2024, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
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