LEWISTON — Citing clinical expertise and quality of care, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine has designated Central Maine Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement.

Dr. Jeffrey Holmstrom, D.O., medical director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine, added that the designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based selection criteria established in collaboration with expert physician and medical organization recommendations.

To be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, CMMC was evaluated on the following criteria:

Established acute care inpatient facility, including intensive care, emergency care, and a full range of patient support services with full accreditation by a CMS-deemed national accreditation organization; experience and training of program surgeons, including case volume; quality management programs, including surgical checklists as well as tracking and evaluation of clinical outcomes and process of care; multi-disciplinary clinical pathways and teams to coordinate and streamline care, including transitions of care; shared decision making and preoperative patient education.