EMC Designated as Top Hospital by Blue Cross

The highest designation as a Tier 1 hospital by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has been awarded to Evergreen Medical Center. The Tiered Network of hospitals recognizes hospitals that are committed to improving patient outcomes through quality-driven and cost-effective healthcare. Tier 1 hospitals are recognized as having attained the highest level of compliance across three areas of awareness including fiscal responsibility, quality, and patient safety.

Fiscal awareness measures the financial performance of the hospital. Through financial arrangements made with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Evergreen Medical Center is working to ensure that their patients receive the most cost-effective care for their health care dollar.

Quality awareness reflects the hospital’s commitment to specific programs designed to improve the quality of care rendered. Evergreen Medical Center has demonstrated a commitment to quality by implementing quality improvement programs, actively participating in an effort to reduce hospital-acquired infections, by sharing best practices, and by engaging in efforts to increase healthcare transparency.

The third level of compliance required for the Tier 1 designation is patient safety awareness. Evergreen Medical Center scored high rankings in this category as well by taking steps toward improving patient safety by implementing National Quality Forum safe practice standards and Rapid Response Teams, completing Employee Safety Surveys in order to pinpoint areas for improvement, performing above average on national core quality measures, and making a commitment to improving patient care through participation in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement 5 Million Lives Campaign.

For more information on Tier 1 hospitals, visit www.bcbsal.org. To learn more about Evergreen Medical Center, call 578-2480 or visit www.evergreenmedical.org.