The UPMC Health Plan Services Division, owned and operated by UPMC, created a center of excellence program for hip and knee replacements.
The UPMC Health Plan Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Surgery Center of Excellence program honors orthopedic surgeons and surgical centers that exhibit quality outcomes, exceptional patient experience and low complication rates.
To be recognized by the program, hospitals and surgeons must complete a credentialing process proven by best practices that leads to high outcomes.
The hospital or health system must deliver top patient experience from presurgical consultation to postsurgical recovery.
The program has recognized nine hospitals in Pennsylvania as a center of excellence so far, including Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, Butler Memorial Hospital and Heritage Valley Hospital. UPMC East, Magee Hospital, St. Margaret, Passavant and Shadyside also received the designation, along with Monongahela Valley Hospital.