Three medical centers serving customers of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its family of companies have been designated Blue Distinction Centers^SM for Cardiac Care by Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans nationwide and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

The three hospitals are:

• Baptist Health in Little Rock
• CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, Texas
• St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro

The hospitals are recognized for their superior capability in providing a full range of cardiac care services. The Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care are designated facilities that meet stringent quality criteria, as established by expert physician panels and national medical organizations.

The process used to select Blue Distinction Centers is based on clinical data supplied by hospitals. The criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care include:

• Full-service, accredited inpatient hospital facility.
• Program must be performing a required number of intensive cardiac services and provide a full range of cardiac services including inpatient cardiac care and cardiac rehabilitation.
• Sub-specialty board certification of cardiac team.
• Ongoing quality management and improvement programs.
• Cardiac care processes and outcomes for several cardiac conditions including evaluation of complication and mortality rates.