Sanford Bismarck Medical Center Recognized for Higher Quality in Kidney Transplant Care

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) has recognized Sanford Medical Center with a Blue Distinction® Centers for Transplants designation for kidney transplants.

The new kidney transplants designations for Adult Deceased Donor Kidney, Adult Living Donor Kidney, and Pediatric Kidney are a result of expansion of the Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants program by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) to include higher quality kidney transplant services within the BCBS network.

To receive a Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants designation for kidney transplants, a health care facility must demonstrate success in meeting nationally established, objective quality measures along with delivering higher quality transplant services in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) network. Quality measures used in the evaluation are publicly reported by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). All Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants facilities must be fully accredited by a national accrediting organization, meet the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) certification requirements, and adhere to transplant guidelines from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Sanford Medical Center is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for transplant centers set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program for the following new kidney transplant designations:

• Adult Deceased Donor Kidney

• Adult Living Donor Kidney

“I’m proud of the work our care team does every day to improve our patient’s quality of life,” said Mike Salwei, executive director of transplant services for the Bismarck region of Sanford Health. “Our team of nephrologists and transplant surgeons work to manage chronic kidney diseases from early detection and diagnosis to advanced treatment including dialysis and organ transplants to help shorten recovery times and reduce the risk of complications.”

According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney diseases such as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are the ninth leading cause of death in America, impacting nearly 37 million Americans.[1] With more than 23,000 kidney transplants performed in the United States[2], according to UNOS, kidney is the top transplant procedure for the year, highlighting the important role that the Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants for the kidney designation will play in providing patients with the knowledge and tools they desire along with the specialized care they need. The National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases cites that kidney failure also affects the nation’s minority and low-income patients disproportionately when compared to Caucasian Americans, with African Americans being 3.5 times more likely to have ESRD.[3]

Dr. Greg Glasner - "We are pleased to award a Blue Distinction Center for Transplant, Adult Deceased Donor Kidney and Adult Living Donor Kidney program to Sanford Medical Centers in Bismarck and Fargo. Achieving the Blue Distinction Center award allows the members of BCBSND access to the highest quality of care in the state to treatment of advanced kidney disease. The Centers of excellence programs mean that North Dakota members do not have to travel outside of the state to receive their care. Blue Distinction Centers are recognized for the highest commitment to quality in the Blue Cross Blue Shield system."

Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants have demonstrated their commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for transplant patients. They offer a broad range of transplant services through a coordinated, streamlined transplant management program. To date, Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants has designated more than 149 facilities nationwide—with some facilities being designated for more than one transplant type to represent a total of more than 365 transplant programs—that meet its evidence-based selection criteria.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.