Mercy Health bariatric surgery program continues accreditation

        The Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center bariatric surgery program has once again been accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
        This is the highest level of accreditation provided by MBSAQIP, which is a collaboration of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
        The re-accreditation, which lasts through 2025, is the result of a comprehensive onsite review of the program’s structure, processes and clinical outcomes. MBSAQIP accredits inpatient and outpatient bariatric surgery centers in the U.S. and Canada that have undergone an independent, voluntary, and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards.
        The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. MBSAQIP-Accredited centers offer pre-operative and post-operative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.
        “I am proud to lead a team that focuses on helping members of our community realize their health and wellness goals – not only by supporting them in the short-term through surgery but also by offering the ongoing coaching and support needed for lifelong success,” said Dr. Gregory Johnston, medical director, Mercy Health bariatric surgery program.
        The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the quality of care for surgical patients. Its achievements have placed it at the forefront of American surgery and have made the College an important advocate for all surgical patients.
        At Mercy Health Weight Management Solutions, bariatric surgeons help patients reach their long-term goals through laparoscopic weight loss surgery procedures. Laparoscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses smaller incisions, causing less pain and scarring, and leading to faster recoveries for our surgical weight loss patients.
        • Mercy Health’s bariatric surgeons perform the following laparoscopic robotic procedures:
        • Gastric bypass surgery (robotic)
        • Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (robotic)
        • Robotic weight loss surgery
        • Revisional bariatric surgery (robotic)
        • Intragastric balloon: Obera
        They also offer patients holistic guidance on proper diet and exercise, coaching them throughout the process so they can achieve long-term weight loss and live a healthier, happier life.
        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity and that number continues to increase. The disease of obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer, among other health risks.
        Research shows metabolic and bariatric surgery has proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to obesity. Working together, the ACS and the ASMBS have developed accreditation standards for metabolic and bariatric surgery to assist patients with obesity in identifying centers that provide optimal patient care.
        For more information about Mercy Health – Weight Management Solutions, visit mercyweightmanagement.com or call 419-251-8760.