Two UnityPoint Health Hospitals Earn Blue Distinction Center+ Designation for Cardiac Care

UnityPoint Health is proud to announce two affiliated hospitals have been recognized with the Blue Distinction® Center+ designation for Cardiac Care by Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®. This prestigious recognition, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program, is awarded to providers that demonstrate high-quality, safe and cost-efficient cardiac care, leading to better health outcomes for patients.

The UnityPoint Health hospitals recognized include:

• UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital, Waterloo
• UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines

"We are incredibly honored to receive the Blue Distinction Center+ designation for Cardiac Care," said Tom Mulrooney, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines chief operations officer. "This achievement is a reflection of the dedication and expertise of our entire cardiovascular team. Providing the highest level of care to our patients is at the heart of everything we do, and this recognition reaffirms our commitment to delivering excellent outcomes in a cost-effective manner."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease in the United States. The Blue Distinction Centers+ for Cardiac Care provide patients with critical information to choose affordable, high-quality cardiac care within their health plan's network. To earn the designation, hospitals had to meet rigorous quality and safety standards and demonstrate cost-efficiency compared to other facilities.

Health care facilities earning Blue Distinction Center+ status are evaluated on a variety of quality metrics, including in-hospital mortality and complication rates, as well as patient outcomes like readmissions and mortality following procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafts. On average, Blue Distinction Centers+ for Cardiac Care are 21 percent more cost-efficient than non-Blue Distinction Center+ facilities.