Monument Health Named a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has named Monument Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care. Monument Health is one of just two South Dakota health care providers to receive this designation.

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated providers who show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

“Our team works hard every day to provide our heart and vascular patients with the best care and the best possible outcomes. It’s very gratifying to receive this recognition from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield,” said Douglas Koch, Monument Health Vice President Operations in Rapid City.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and is expected to claim more than 23.6 million lives annually by 2030.

Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care seek to empower patients with the knowledge and tools to find quality cardiac care. To be designated, hospitals must demonstrate expertise in delivering safe and effective cardiac care, focusing on cardiac valve surgery, coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous coronary interventions episodes of care.

In 2018, Monument Health Rapid City Hospital was designated a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care.

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.

CONTACT:
Dan Daly
Communications Specialist
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Monument Health
605-755-9178
ddaly@monument.health