Mercy Health - Springfield named a top U.S. cardiac care provider

March 18-- Mar. 18--A Springfield hospital has been recognized as a nationally designated provider for exemplifying top quality cardiac care.

Mercy Health -- Springfield Regional Medical Center was designated a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The designation is awarded to providers that demonstrate improved patient safety and health outcomes, a press release from the hospital says.

"Nothing is more important to our cardiac care team than providing our patients with top quality heart care and we couldn't be more proud of earning this latest designation," said Matt Caldwell, president of Mercy Health -- Springfield.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The disease is projected to claim more than 23.6 million lives annually by 2030, according to the release.

Through this designation, Mercy Health -- Springfield is recognized as one of the top-performing health care providers in the country.

Anthem assesses hospitals' expertise in cardiac care based on information from the medical community and third-party data registries, as well as measures developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies' medical claims, according to the release.

"Springfield Regional Medical Center's designation as a Blue Distinction Center is a testament to their innovative approach to cardiac patient care," said Dr. Barry Malinowski, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio medical director. "This is a well-deserved honor and I congratulate the entire cardiac care team at Springfield Regional."

Springfield Regional Medical Center's ratings have shown progress overall in recent years. In November, the hospital received a B safety rating from the Leapfrog Group, a national health care advocacy group, for the first time since at least 2015.

The Leapfrog Group releases its Hospital Safety Grade report twice a year, providing a letter grade to hospitals nationwide based on a range of measures from preventing infections to instituting policies to prevent errors that can harm patient health.

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