The Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery are recognized for demonstrating their commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for spine surgery patients. Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery provide comprehensive inpatient spine surgery services, including discectomy, fusion and decompression procedures.

Medical centers designated Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery

• Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock
• St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro
• St. Vincents Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock

The process and criteria for selection
The designation is based on criteria established by expert physician panels and national medical organizations and include:

• Must be an accredited, comprehensive inpatient facility.
• Has a comprehensive quality management program in place.
• Program must be actively performing spine surgery for the most recent 12 uninterrupted months.
• Facility performs at least 100 spine surgeries annually.
• Includes written discharge and follow-up plans, including coordination with primary care providers.
• Detailing all aspects of care, and incorporated into formal development and review process.
• Program should have a written process and data management systems for routinely measuring patient satisfaction for both inpatient and outpatient services.
• Facility is currently contracted with the local Blue Plan and all identified surgeons participate in the local Blue network.
• Has a comprehensive quality management program in place.