Charlton Memorial Hospital Achieves the Blue Distinction® Center+ Designation for Expert Care in Knee and Hip Replacement Surgeries

Southcoast Health’s Charlton Memorial Hospital has been designated as a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacements by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally recognized healthcare facilities known for their high-quality care and patient safety. To earn this recognition, they must meet rigorous criteria set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

“Our patients deserve the best care possible, and this achievement affirms that they have local access to nationally recognized, high-quality orthopedic care right here at Southcoast Health,” said Michael Langworthy, MD, Chief of Orthopedics at Southcoast Health. “It also represents the exceptional skill, dedication and collaboration of our entire orthopedic team. I am proud of everything they do to provide the best care and service, along with the most advanced treatments and innovations, including robotic surgery offerings, to our patients.”

Today, Southcoast Health Orthopedics performs more than 1,000 knee and hip replacement surgeries each year with more than 90 percent of elective patients discharged directly home for recovery.

“Being recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ is an incredible honor that highlights the expertise our teams provide every day at Southcoast Health,” said David O. McCready, President and CEO of Southcoast Health. “It reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional care, quality and service to our patients.”

Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ for Knee and Hip Replacements demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation.

Southcoast Health has additionally earned Blue Distinction Specialty Care program recognition for the following services:

• Blue Distinction® Center for Bariatric Surgery at Charlton Memorial and Tobey Hospitals
• Blue Distinction® Center+ for Cardiac Care at Charlton Memorial Hospital
• Blue Distinction® Center+ for Maternity Care at Charlton Memorial and St. Luke’s Hospitals
• Blue Distinction® Center for Spine Surgery at Charlton Memorial
• Blue Distinction® Center+ for Spine Surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver.

For more information about Southcoast Health Orthopedics, please visit: www.southcoast.org/services/orthopedics.