CHI Health Immanuel Earns Designation for Spine Surgery and Knee/Hip Replacement

CHI Health Immanuel is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) with a Blue Distinction ® Center (BDC) for Spine Surgery designation and a Blue Distinction ® Centers+ (BDC+) for Knee and Hip Replacement designation.

This program identifies hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers that demonstrate expertise in patient safety and deliver better health outcomes. Quality assessments are based on objective measures developed from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

This designation is a testament to the rigorous standards met by CHI Health Immanuel.

• Designated spine facilities provide high-quality care, with an average of 28% fewer readmissions and 29% fewer complications within 90 days after spine surgery.
• Designated knee and hip replacement facilities deliver high-quality care, with an average of 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications within 90 days after knee and hip replacement surgery.
• Designated facilities also achieve cost savings of 30% for knee and hip replacements compared to all other facilities for that specialty care area.

Patients treated at designated facilities benefit from the expertise and advanced practices that lead to improved recovery times and reduced complications, making a positive difference in their overall health journey.

"We are honored to collaborate with providers like CHI Health Immanuel," said Dr. Thadeo Salido, senior medical director at BCBSNE. "Annually, we aim to strengthen our partnerships with providers who, in turn, offer exceptional care and treatment experiences for our members. CHI Health Immanuel has invested considerable time and resources into developing specialized training, quality assurance measures and enhancements to improve health outcomes. This  recognition underscores the commitment and hard work of our providers in meeting both our standards and the expectations of our members."

BDCs for Spine Surgery help consumers find quality spinal care, while also encouraging health care professionals to improve the overall delivery of care nationwide. 

Among other criteria, to receive a designation, facilities must:

• Have full accreditation from at least one national accrediting organization, as either a hospital or ambulatory surgery center
• Have low complication, mortality. and unplanned readmission rates within 90 days after elective primary spine surgery
• Have enhanced recovery after surgery processes and procedures in place for quality perioperative care
• Participate in BCBSNE’s BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization Network

BDCs+ for Knee and Hip Replacement help consumers find both quality and value for their health care, while also encouraging health care professionals to improve the overall delivery of care nationwide.

Among other criteria, to receive a designation, facilities must: 

• Have full accreditation from at least one national accrediting organization as either a hospital or ambulatory surgery center
• Have low complication, mortality and unplanned readmission rates within 90 days after elective primary total knee and hip replacements
• Have enhanced recovery after surgery processes and procedures in place for quality perioperative care
• Participate in BCBSNE’s BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization Network

By meeting these stringent criteria, CHI Health Immanuel not only highlights its commitment to high quality health care but also commits to remaining at the forefront of advancements in spine surgery and knee and hip replacements.

To further improve patient outcomes and inform treatment strategies, BCBSA utilized the American Spine Registry, the AAOS and American Joint Replacement Registry for evidence-based performance measures and patient reported outcome measures.

Since 2005, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care—and, for those that meet the program’s cost criteria, at lower costs—in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the quality of care they deliver.