Community Hospital Achieves Top Accreditation for Bariatric Surgery Program

Community-Hospital-Achieves-Top-Accreditation-for-Bariatric-Surgery-2016-Program_01Patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and related conditions can count on Community Hospital for excellence in care. Community Hospital, Munster has achieved accreditation as a Comprehensive Center for metabolic and bariatric surgery by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, a joint program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This national designation recognizes Community Hospital for meeting the highest quality standards in delivering safe bariatric patient care.

“Our bariatric program, Healthy 4 Life, has an established reputation for producing the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing weight loss procedures,” said Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director Paul Stanish, MD. “It’s rewarding to have our efforts recognized by the objective, results-oriented panel of experts who determine these designations.”

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program standards ensure that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. Accredited centers such as Community Hospital’s Healthy 4 Life program, offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for their severely obese patients.

Morbid obesity is widely recognized as a contributor to serious health risks; yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 72 million Americans are obese. A portion of the individuals facing this condition, more than 179,000 in 2013 according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, may opt for bariatric surgery as a tool to aid in long-term weight-loss and increase their quality of health.

Community-Hospital-Achieves-Top-Accreditation-for-Bariatric-Surgery-2016-Program_02Bariatric surgery has been shown to help improve or resolve many obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. Additionally, many individuals who decrease their weight oftentimes take less medication to treat their obesity-related conditions.

“We recognize the need to offer more opportunities to help improve the health and quality of life because of the increasing prevalence of morbid obesity in our communities,” said Stanish. “The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation serves as a catalyst that drives Community Hospital’s weight loss surgery program to continually provide quality care to our residents.”

Community Hospital’s commitment to quality care begins with appropriately trained staff and specialty surgeons who participate in meetings throughout the year to review its outcomes. They seek continuous improvement to enhance the structure, process and outcomes of the program.

To earn the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program designation, Community Hospital met essential criteria for staffing, training and facility infrastructure and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to support patients with severe obesity.

After submitting an application, centers seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program Accreditation undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon, who reviews the center's structure, process, and clinical outcomes data.

Healthy 4 Life offers convenient access to weight loss services through Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Community Hospital’s accreditation for surgical quality follows the lead of sister hospital, St. Mary Medical Center, an established center for bariatric excellence. With this accreditation awarded to both hospital locations, patients can be assured that they are receiving the highest quality care. For more information about the Healthy 4 Life program at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System, call 1-866-224-2059 or visit www.comhs.org.