BMC Joint Replacement Program Recognized for Quality
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center's Total Joint Replacement Program has been recognized with an Aetna Institutes of Quality for Orthopaedic Surgery designation.Quality Orthopedic Care facilities are designated based on measures of clinical performance, access and efficiency for orthopedic care. In reviewing these facilities, Aetna identifies comprehensive orthopedic treatment centers that can provide both inpatient and outpatient procedures.
To qualify for the national designation, BMC's program had to meet several criteria, including performing at least 200 knee replacement surgeries and 100 hip replacement surgeries in the most recent 12 months, accreditation by the Joint Commission, a rapid response team and 24-hour emergency care and the joint replacement program must have been established for at least one year.
The hospital also had to meet several quality requirements, including having a quality improvement program with initiatives focused on continuously measuring and improving orthopedic care to include an automated data collection system and/or personnel in place and perform patient satisfaction surveys and responsive improvement activities, among others.
BMC, in collaboration with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, greatly enhanced its orthopaedic surgery program two years ago with the development of the comprehensive Joint Replacement Program. The program is designed to provide the patient with the highest quality experience possible, with pre-operative education, state-of-the-art surgical procedures performed by highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons, advanced anesthesia care and pain management, newly renovated rooms for optimum comfort and recovery, and postsurgical care, including rehabilitation.
The procedures covered include: total knee replacement; partial knee replacement; total hip replacement; hip and knee revision; and shoulder replacement.
