HOLSTON VALLEY, BRISTOL REGIONAL DESIGNATED
AS BLUE DISTINCTION CENTERS FOR CARDIAC CARE
Holston Valley Medical Center and Bristol Regional Medical Center have long been leaders in quality heart care across the region and the state.
From Holston Valley's ranking as the No. 1 cardiology program in Tennessee by HealthGrades, the nation's leading independent healthcare ratings organization, to Bristol Regional's expertise in beating-heart bypass surgery, the two hospitals provide a high level of care for heart patients.
Now, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has recognized Holston Valley and Bristol Regional for the high-quality treatment they deliver by designating the hospitals Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care. Holston Valley and Bristol Regional earned the designation after meeting objective selection criteria that show they offer specialty care for hearts.
Blue Distinction Centers offer a full range of services, such as inpatient heart care and cardiac rehabilitation, catheterization and surgery. The goal of the Blue Distinction program is to help patients consistently find quality specialty care and enable and encourage healthcare professionals to improve overall quality and delivery of care.
"We're gratified that BlueCross BlueShield has recognized the superior care our physicians and nurses deliver to our patients in need of heart care," Holston Valley President Blaine Douglas said. "Our healthcare professionals use their knowledge and skills on a daily basis to provide excellent results for our patients."
As an example, both Holston Valley and Bristol Regional consistently beat the 90-minute national standard for door-to-balloon time. That means physicians clear a patient's clogged artery and restore blood flow less than 90 minutes after the patient has arrived in the emergency department.
Both hospitals constantly work to reduce that time frame. In 2008, the Wellmont Foundation provided $500,000 to installed electrocardiogram monitors in many ambulances in the region. The foundation also donated devices that transmit EKGs to Holston Valley and Bristol Regional while a patient is en route. That enables a heart attack to be diagnosed before a patient arrives at the hospital.
In addition to designating Holston Valley as the No. 1 cardiology program in the state, HealthGrades ranked it among the state's top six hospitals for all cardiac services.
This exemplary ranking is typical of the high standing Holston Valley holds in cardiac care. The hospital hosted the region's first open-heart surgery in 1979 and was named in 2005 and 2007 by Thomson Reuters as one of the country's Top 100 heart hospitals.
Bristol Regional is a leader in the usage of beating-heart bypass surgery. That procedure enables a doctor to only stabilize the portion of the heart needing work while the rest continues to pump and circulate blood to the rest of the body.
This cutting-edge procedure means a patient does not have to be hooked to a heart-lung machine. That reduces the chance of possible side effects from that machine: short-term memory loss and trouble thinking clearly.
"As the No. 1 killer of men and women, heart disease represents a major component of the health care hospitals provide," Bristol Regional President Bart Hove said. "Our outstanding physicians and nurses consistently rises to the challenge of treating complex heart conditions. We are appreciative of Blue Cross Blue Shield for this external validation of the quality care our highly trained professionals provide."
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