Pennsylvania Hospital has announced that it has been named an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.
The ASMBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.
“This distinction recognizes the expertise of our experienced surgeons and our institutional commitment to quality programs and services,” says Robert Haffey, RN, MBA, Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “In a growing market and increased options in bariatric surgery, the ASMBS Center of Excellence distinction sets Pennsylvania Hospital apart.”
The Bariatric Surgery program at Pennsylvania Hospital offers severely obese patients a specialized program that caters to their specific needs. The core team consists of surgeons, nutritionists, psychologists, and internists who provide each patient with expert care before and after weight loss surgery.
To earn a Center of Excellence designation, the program underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program's surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected.
Obesity has become a significant national health issue, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that 66 percent of all US adults are overweight or obese. Morbid obesity is closely correlated with a number of serious conditions that severely undermine the health of overweight patients, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.