Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Spine Surgery

12/6/2017

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Dec. 6, 2017) -- Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has earned the Blue Distinction® Center-Plus for Spine Surgery designation under the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program of Highmark Blue Shield.

The Spine Surgery designation was created in an effort to help patients who are seeking spine surgery. Hospitals that receive this designation demonstrate expertise in spinal procedures, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital re-admissions compared to other hospitals. In addition to meeting quality thresholds, facilities designated as Blue Distinction® Centers-Plus are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other hospitals.

Cor Catena, CEO of Commonwealth Health and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, credits the hard work of the neurosurgery team in achieving this designation. "This is a reflection of the dedication of our nurses, physicians, and support staff, who work together to provide our patients with the most advanced neurosurgery program available.”

Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital is proud to be recognized by Highmark Blue Shield for meeting the rigorous selection criteria for spine surgery set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. "The Blue Distinction program gives Highmark Blue Shield members the ability to choose their providers based upon reliable quality and safety information. It also provides a pathway for exceptional providers to demonstrate their value, and delivers the kind of transparency necessary for members to make informed value-driven healthcare decisions," Dr. Charles DeShazer, Vice President and Executive Medical Director, Highmark Inc., said.

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies with input from the medical community.

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