Mega Doctor News
Edinburg, TX – In an effort to help prospective patients find hospitals that deliver quality, affordable care, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas nationally designates hospitals on overall patient outcomes. DHR Health is now a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery, Maternity Care, and Kidney Transplantation, in addition to, Knee and Hip Replacement, Spine Surgery, and Substance Use Treatment and Recovery. The distinction evaluates hospitals on overall patient satisfaction, including willingness by patients to recommend the hospital to others.
DHR Health is proud to be recognized by BlueCross BlueShield of Texas for meeting the robust selection criteria set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to demonstrate quality care, treatment expertise and better overall patient results and Blue Distinction Centers+ demonstrate more affordable care in addition to quality care, treatment expertise and better overall patient results. Both distinctions offer improved patient safety and better health outcomes based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community in order to meet patient needs.
Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery
DHR Health is among few facilities in South Texas to receive Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery and joins 58 other hospitals across the state of Texas as an elite group of hospitals that can provide this highly-specialized care for bariatric patients. Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery offer a full range of bariatric surgery care, including surgical, post-op, outpatient follow-up, and patient education and have lower complication rates and fewer readmissions.
Through the affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, one of the country’s leaders in weight loss surgery and patient care, DHR Health Bariatric and Metabolic Institute is focused on addressing obesity with modern treatment strategies, research, and education. The institute provides the community with proven tools for weight management and related diseases, like weight loss surgery, pre- and post-surgery education, nutrition, cooking classes, counseling, and fitness classes. Those suffering with obesity and health related weight management, no longer need to travel outside the Rio Grande Valley to get the healthcare they need.
“DHR Health Bariatric and Metabolic Institute continues to raise the bar in the Rio Grande Valley, and we are ecstatic that we have been identified and recognized nationally by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program,” said Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Medical Director at DHR Health Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. “We are proud of our team for their continued dedication and unrelenting pursuit of providing the best bariatric healthcare. Our team continues to look to the future and is as the forefront in bariatric research, surgical training and advanced robotics in the name of continued professional growth and improving quality of life in South Texas.”
Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care
DHR Health demonstrated expertise and a commitment to quality care for newborn deliveries, resulting in the designation of Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care. DHR Health is among 59 hospitals in the state of Texas and 1 of 3 hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley to receive a distinction. Hospitals with this distinction exhibit better overall patient satisfaction and a lower percentage of early elective deliveries.
“Our physicians and nursing staff are committed to providing safe and quality care to our moms and their babies here at DHR Health Women’s Hospital,” said Dr. Efraim Vela, Chief Medical Officer at DHR Health Women’s Hospital.
As the only free-standing women’s hospital in the Rio Grande Valley, DHR Health Women’s Hospital provides care for the unique health needs of women. From fertility and reproductive care, labor and delivery, and neonatal care, to gynecology, and the only gynecological facility dedicated to robotic surgery in the area, DHR Health is committed to delivering the highest quality of care to women of all ages.
DHR Health Women’s Hospital is the first to be certified by the Joint Commission for Perinatal Care in the Rio Grande Valley. Ranking among the top 1% in the world for caring for complications caused by prematurity, DHR Health Women’s Hospital NICU has been recognized for providing families with the best care.
Blue Distinction Center for Transplant Adult Kidney Deceased Donor and Adult Kidney Living Donor
As the first and only CMS and UNOS certified transplant facility in the Rio Grande Valley, DHR Health Transplant Institute obtained the Blue Distinction Center for Adult Kidney Transplant – Deceased Donor and Adult Kidney Transplant – Living Donor, providing patients with comprehensive care they need to receive a new chance at life. Blue Distinction Centers for Adult Kidney Transplant – Deceased Donor and Adult Kidney Transplant – Living Donor aim to improve patient outcomes by demonstrating clinical criteria, established in collaboration with expert doctors’ and medical organizations’ recommendations.
“As the only transplant center in the Rio Grande Valley, we take pride in being at the forefront of healthcare,” said Dr. Mourad Alsabbagh, Transplant Nephrologist at DHR Health Transplant Institute. “This distinction is a direct result of our dedication to the community. It demonstrates our commitment to going above and beyond to give our patients the best care for life.”
Receiving an organ transplant requires careful coordination, education and evaluation. In order to provide patients with the best possible care, the DHR Health Transplant Institute educates patients and caregivers about the transplant evaluation process, financial implications, wait list management, surgical risks and benefits as well as medication management and dietary requirements. The Transplant Institute consists of a multidisciplinary team of physicians, surgeons, pharmacists, social workers and other health care providers offering specialized and compassionate care for kidney, liver and pancreatic disorders.
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality providers at affordable costs while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, you can visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
DHR Health prioritizes achieving the highest standards in patient care and is committed to continue delivering the best possible service to the Rio Grande Valley. As a Blue Distinction Center and Blue Distinction Center+, DHR Health is credited for demonstrating fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions compared to other hospitals, showing the importance of quality care. Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation to be designated.
For more information about the DHR Health Blue Distinctions, please call (956) 362-3100.
