Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Recognized for Higher Quality Knee and Hip Replacements
HARTSVILLE, South Carolina (July 30, 2025) – Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is proud to be recognized by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina with a Blue Distinction® Center (BDC) for Knee and Hip Replacement designation.
This program identifies hospitals and ambulatory care centers (ASCs) that demonstrate expertise in patient safety and deliver better health outcomes. Quality assessments are based on objective measures developed from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
This designation is a testament to the rigorous standards met by Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. Designated knee and hip replacement facilities deliver high-quality care, with an average of 21 percent fewer readmissions and 21 percent fewer complications within 90 days after knee and hip replacement surgery.
Patients treated at designated facilities benefit from the expertise and advanced practices that lead to improved recovery times and reduced complications making a significant difference in their overall health journey.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is pleased to recognize Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center for achieving the Blue Distinction® Center designation for Knee and Hip Replacement. This designation highlights our dedication to guiding members to facilities that consistently deliver exceptional care and value. Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center’s commitment to quality and innovation in joint replacement care plays a vital role in improving health outcomes for South Carolinians.
Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement help consumers find quality care, while also encouraging health care professionals to improve the overall delivery of care nationwide.
Among other criteria, to receive a designation, facilities must:
- Have full accreditation from at least one national accrediting organization as either a hospital or ambulatory surgery center
- Have low complication, mortality and unplanned readmission rates within 90 days after elective primary total knee and hip replacements
- Have enhanced recovery after surgery processes and procedures in place for quality perioperative care
- Participate in BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Network
By meeting these stringent criteria, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center not only highlights its commitment to high quality health care but also commits to remaining at the forefront of advancements in knee and hip replacements.
To further improve patient outcomes and inform treatment strategies, BCBSA utilized the AAOS and American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) for more evidence-based performance measures and patient reported outcome measures.
Since 2005, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care at lower costs in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit the program website.
For more information on Carolina Pines orthopaedics, go to cprmc.com/ortho.
All companies and trademarks listed above are the property of their respective owners and used for identification purposes only, and are in no way associated or affiliated with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Use of these trademarks does not imply endorsement. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols and Blue Distinction® are registered trademarks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
About Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center
As part of the ScionHealth network of hospitals, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC) provides high-quality healthcare services to the people of several counties in northeastern South Carolina. Patients have come to rely on our experienced, skilled staff and physicians to provide them with the highest level of care and compassion. Through the facilities on our campus, including a 116-bed acute care hospital and an adjoining medical office building, we provide comprehensive services with two things in mind: the care and comfort of our patients. Learn more about CPRMC at www.cprmc.com.
About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Headquartered in Columbia and operating in South Carolina for more than 75 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 20 companies involved in health insurance services, U.S. Department of Defense health program and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services, and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians. The company has held an A+ rating from AM Best for 23 consecutive years.
About the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health IndexSM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com.
About Blue Distinction Centers
Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for providers located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Each provider’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Providers in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for noncovered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.