Obesity is the leading public health problem in the U.S. and worldwide and bariatric surgery is the leading-edge treatment for patients with obesity and obesity-related conditions. The chronic obesity disease is a potentially life-threatening and weight loss surgery can help patients turn their lives around. Metabolic and Bariatric Accreditation and Quality Agencies are responsible for ensuring the safety of patients who choose to endure weight loss surgery. They test surgeons and medical professionals on important factors affecting a surgery to determine whether or not they can competently perform these tasks safely and securely.
Accreditation is the voluntary choice of quality assurance for an individual, group, or facility. It is used to distinguish those that apply a high set of educational standards to their work. The process is a set of rigorous protocols that evaluate effectiveness, it also looks at how well all the parts work together (in the case of a facility) to meet the needs of patients. When deciding on a surgeon, be sure to ask them of their accreditation prior to committing to surgery with this facility or doctor.
MBSAQIP
The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®) is one such unique accreditation program in the United States to improve the quality of patient care in bariatric surgery centers. This program is unified by The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The benefits of accredited centers are decreasing costs, decreasing re-admission, decreasing complications, and better failure to rescue rates. The ability to provide the highest standard of care through multi-disciplinary efforts, including psychological and dietary support, for better outcomes.
Joint Commission International
Joint Commission International sets forth standards to improve patient safety and quality of health care in the international community. JCI is offering education, publications, advisory services, and international accreditation and certification to promote rigorous standards of care and to provide solutions for achieving peak performance.
Created in 1994, JCI has a presence in more than 100 countries. Joint International Committee partners with hospitals, clinics, and academic medical centers, health systems and agencies, government ministries, academia, and international advocates.
Center of Excellence
A center of excellence is a facility, whether a hospital or outpatient clinic, that works with a network of institutions to ensure excellence in a particular area of medicine. These centers are easily accessible and sufficient for those looking for expertise in a certain specialty, in this case, bariatric surgery. One’s insurance company can point them in the right direction of a center like this local to their area.
Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) administer accreditation program for surgeons, hospitals and outpatient facilities globally to advance safety and quality of care. SRC offers single-specialty and multi-specialty (first in its kind) accreditation options. SRC’s Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (COEMBS) program is patient safety and quality improvement of treatment. The program is for bariatric surgeons (first surgeon-only certification option – SOE) as well as facilities (COE) internationally.
CSG
For those looking to travel to Mexico for weight loss surgery, the CSG accreditation is important. This is the Mexican version of the JCI program that covers hospitals, outpatient units, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric units, and other healthcare centers. This accreditation is given to facilities by the General Health Council of Mexico, which is a part of the Mexican Ministry of Health. Created in 1999, their standards focus on improving the quality of care and patient safety.
They also encourage these accredited centers to maintain their position in the health care market by consistently providing high-quality healthcare for each and every patient. They believe that every part of the patient process, whether pre-testing, consultations, or pre-surgery appointments are just as important as the surgery and post-op measures. They believe that by tracking patients early they can better serve them and their goals for their overall health.
Other Mexican Accreditation Programs:
- Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia General, A.C. – The Mexican Council on General Surgery certifies physicians in the practice of general surgery. Many surgeons in Mexico have this general surgery board certification.
- Colegio Mexicano de Cirugia para la Obesidad y Enfermedades Metabolicas, A.C. – The Mexican College of Obesity Surgery certifies surgeons who meet the standards of excellence in the field of bariatric surgery. Certified surgeons can proclaim they are ‘Board Certified by the Mexico College of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons‘.
Related:
Mexico Bariatric Surgery Guide