Center Earns Blue Distinction

Blue Shield of California has designated the UCSF Heart and Vascular Center a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care. The designation means that the UCSF Heart and Vascular Center meets evidence-based clinical criteria, developed in collaboration with expert physicians and medical organizations, including the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The selection criteria include:

An established cardiac care program, performing required annual volumes for certain procedures (e.g., a minimum of 125 cardiac surgical procedures annually, including both coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] and valve surgery)
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 care and a full range of cardiac services
Full accreditation by the Joint Commission, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) or national equivalent
Low overall complication and mortality rates
A comprehensive quality management program

To learn more about Blue Distinction®, please visit www.bcbs.com.

Heart & Vascular Center News, Winter 2010 index

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