Saline Memorial Hospital achieves accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program®

The bariatric surgery program at Saline Memorial Hospital has earned reaccreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint quality program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

To achieve MBSAQIP accreditation, Saline Memorial Hospital met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The bariatric program also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifies opportunities for quality improvement.

“Our commitment to quality care begins with expertly trained staff and the leadership of experienced bariatric surgeons,” said Chelsie Tull, the hospital’s bariatric program coordinator. “We review our surgical data continuously to look for opportunities to improve the structure and outcomes expertise necessary to provide safe, efficacious and high-quality care to all metabolic and bariatric patients.”

After applying for MBSAQIP accreditation, centers undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviews the center's structure, processes and clinical outcomes data. Centers that earn accreditation are awarded a specific designation level, depending on how many patients it serves annually, critical care capabilities, the types of procedures provided, and whether it provides care to patients under the age of 18. Saline Memorial Hospital’s designation level is as a comprehensive center.

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 preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.

“Our accreditation means that patients seeking surgical treatment for obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving care at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality,” Dr. Kristin Patton, medical director for surgery and bariatrics at Saline Memorial hospital.

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, like “Bariatric Surgery: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis,” have indicated that 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.

“Arkansas has the 12^th highest prevalence of obesity in the country, so it is crucial for us to be able to offer high-quality care to help treat obesity,” said Jeff Bourgeois, interim CEO. “At Saline Memorial Hospital, we recognize that weight loss is never one-size-fits-all. That’s why, we support you with personalized care at every step of your weight loss journey.”

About Saline Memorial Hospital

Saline Health System is made up of Saline Memorial Hospital, a 177-bed acute care facility, and Saline Clinics, a network of both primary care and specialty care clinics. The hospital is accredited through The Joint Commission for meeting quality and safety standards, the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, the MBSAQIP as a bariatric surgery center, Optum in the Bariatric Centers of Excellence network,  BlueCross BlueShield as Blue Distinction Facility for Bariatrics, CARF as a rehabilitation center and the AASM as a sleep center. For more information about Saline Memorial Hospital, please call 501.776.6000 or visit SalineMemorial.org. For more information about LifePoint Health, visit LifePointHealth.net.

About the American College of Surgeons

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. The College has more than 82,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

About the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is the largest organization for metabolic and bariatric surgeons in the world, with more than 4,200 members. It is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance the science of metabolic and bariatric surgery. The ASMBS is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about metabolic and bariatric surgery, including the associated risks and benefits, as a treatment option for obesity.