TIFTON, Ga. –  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia has selected the Tift Regional Joint Replacement and Spine Care Center as a Blue Distinction Center for knee and hip replacement.

The Tift Regional Joint Replacement and Spine Care Center is located at Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in Tifton.  With a comprehensive educational program, this specialized inpatient unit is specifically dedicated to helping joint replacement and spine surgery patients overcome pain and restore mobility.  The goal is to involve patients and family members in treatment every step of the way to ensure optimal recovery.

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally-designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.  Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions.   Only those facilities that first meet nationally-established quality measures are considered for designation as a Blue Distinction Center. 

Participating surgeons for elective knee and hip procedures at the Tift Regional Joint Replacement and Spine Care Center include orthopedic surgeons Dr. James Scott, Dr. William Smith and Dr. David Banks with Georgia Sports Medicine. 

“We are proud to have achieved this designation because it is a reflection of the skills, hard work and dedication of our surgeons, nurses, therapists and support staff,” said Demarius McRae, TRMC director of Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Services.  “The biggest beneficiaries are our patients, who can count on quality care and a quicker return to normal activities.”

The center also offers spine care with orthopedic spine surgeons Dr. Edward Hellman with Georgia Sports Medicine and Dr. Mac Sims with Optim Orthopedics.  

For more information about the Blue Distinction program, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.   To learn more about the Tift Regional Joint Replacement and Spine Care Center, call (229) 353-BONE (2663) or visit www.TRMCortho.com.