Norwood, MA – February 23, 2016 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has recognized Norwood Hospital as a Blue Distinction+ Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. The national Blue Distinction Program highlights hospitals with proven expertise in delivering specialty care. This notable program helps patients identify hospitals that have an established commitment to providing quality care along with better results and outcomes.

Norwood Hospital offers comprehensive knee and hip replacement services, including MAKOplasty, robotic assisted partial knee and total hip replacement.  Norwood Hospital was chosen as a Blue Distinction+ Center for Knee and Hip Replacement because of factors related to quality, safety, and efficiency.

“We have highly-skilled orthopedic surgeons at Norwood Hospital, supported by an outstanding team of nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and other healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Robert Faberman, Chief of Staff at Norwood Hospital. “We use state-of-the-art procedures and robotic technology for knee and hip replacement, and are extremely proud of our results, low complication rates, and high patient satisfaction.”

“We have an exceptional orthopedic program led by experienced community-based surgeons,” said hospital President Kim Bassett.  “This award is an honor and affirms the high quality care and treatment our patients receive for their orthopedic surgical needs. I congratulate our team on this significant accomplishment.”

To be designated a Blue Distinction+ Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, medical facilities are measured against various criteria, including expertise and training of surgeons, surgical volume, quality management, clinical outcomes, decision making processes and patient education.

The Blue Distinction+ Center designation, awarded by Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, also recognizes medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality care in areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, spine surgery and transplants. Norwood Hospital was one of 24 hospitals in Massachusetts to earn the distinction for Knee and Hip Replacement.

Norwood Hospital's board-certified orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat problems of the musculoskeletal system, including soft tissue and bone conditions, as well as injuries such as fractures, dislocations, joint replacement and disk problems.  Norwood Hospital features on-site radiology and rehabilitation services. For more information on the Norwood Hospital Orthopedic Medicine program, visit www.norwood-hospital.org/services-directory/orthopedics

About Norwood Hospital
Norwood Hospital is a full-service, 215-bed community hospital for adults and children with a focus on delivering world-class health care along with the latest advances in technology and treatment options. Norwood Hospital is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospitals, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.norwood-hospital.org

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we are rated among the nation’s best health plans for member satisfaction and quality.

Required Disclaimer
Blue Distinction® Centers met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. Blue Distinction® Centers+ also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Individual outcomes may vary. National criteria is displayed on www.bcbs.com. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area. To find out which services and providers (including hospital based physicians) are covered under your policy, or to learn about Local Blue Plan Criteria, contact your Local Blue Plan; and contact your provider before making an appointment to verify its current Network and Blue Distinction Centers status. Each hospital’s Cost Index is calculated separately, based on data from its Local Blue Plan. Hospitals in portions of CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in areas served by two Local Blue Plans, resulting in two Cost Index figures; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether all hospitals in these areas must meet Blue Distinction Centers+ national criteria for one or both Cost Index figures. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for damages, losses, or non-covered charges resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers. To find out more, contact your Local Blue Plan.

##