WARSAW — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has recognized Kosciusko Community Hospital with a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community.

The Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care program evaluates hospitals on quality measures for vaginal and cesarean delivery. To receive a Blue Distinction Centers+ for Maternity Care designation, a hospital must also demonstrate cost-efficiency. Quality is key: only those hospitals that first meet Blue Distinction’s nationally-established, objective quality measures will be considered for designation as a Blue Distinction Center+.

“At Lutheran Health Network KCH, we strive to continually improve patient care processes,” said Kirk Ray, CEO of Lutheran Health Network KCH. “The Blue Distinction Center designation granted to the KCH Birthplace is an affirmation that we are doing the right things to provide families with board certified physicians, experienced support staff and a safe, comfortable environment to welcome their child into the world. We are proud to be recognized by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality and cost selection criteria for maternity care.”

Nearly four million babies are born in the U.S. annually, making childbirth the most common cause of hospitalization and cesarean sections the most common operating room procedures, according to National Centers for Health Statistics and the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality. Reducing early elective delivery is an area of focus for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. According to Health Affairs, elective inductions result in more cesarean deliveries and a longer maternal hospitalization.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies across the nation have recognized more than 1,000 hospitals as Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care. Hospitals recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and cost measures derived from BCBS companies’ medical claims.

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, maternity care, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver.

Research shows that, compared to other hospitals, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients. On average, Blue Distinction Centers are also 20 percent more cost-efficient than non-Blue Distinction Center+ designated hospitals. For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.