Freeman recognized as total joint specialty center

JOPLIN, Mo.—Freeman Health System is proud to announce its designation as a Premium Total Joint Specialty Center by UnitedHealth Premium, which recognizes quality of care. To receive this honor, Freeman met extensive quality and outcomes criteria based on nationally recognized medical standards and expert advice. The criteria incorporated measurements of the breadth and depth of care, staff experience, emergency care, quality, and outcomes reporting.

To earn this recognition from UnitedHealthcare®, providers are evaluated on several best practice criteria. In addition to performing well in a number of areas, Freeman received a perfect score on its practices to avoid infection.

UnitedHealthcare developed the UnitedHealth Premium specialty center program to give its members information and access to hospitals that meet rigorous quality criteria. Designed to help members make informed decisions should they need total joint replacement care, the designations are based on detailed information about specialized training, practice capabilities, and outcomes.

“The UnitedHealth Premium designation acknowledges Freeman’s dependability to provide conscientious and reliable total joint replacement care,” said Joe Kirk, Freeman Chief Operations Officer. “Such a designation not only informs our patients that Freeman meets nationally recognized standards, it serves as a testament to the exceptional care given by our physicians.”

About Freeman Health System

Based in Joplin, Mo., and proudly recognized as the Best Hospital in southwest Missouri—as well as ranked #4 in the state—by US News & World Report, Freeman Health System provides comprehensive healthcare and behavioral health services, including cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurosciences, orthopaedics, and women’s services. The area’s only locally owned, not-for-profit health system, Freeman has more than 300 physicians representing 60 specialties serving southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem, or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.