Ochsner Nationally-Recognized for High-Quality Bariatric Surgery Program

Added on Feb 07, 2007 | Filed Under:

ASBS Designates Ochsner Medical Center as a Center of Excellence

NEW ORLEANS, LA Ochsner Medical Center announced today that it has been named an American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. The nationally-recognized ASBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs in the U.S. with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery. Obesity has become a significant national health issue in this country, with the CDC reporting that 64% of all U.S. 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. Bariatric surgery, when performed correctly, can help obese patients manage these conditions. Our programs success is due largely to our unique combination of experienced and compassionate staff as well as our multidisciplinary approach to the needs of each patient said Dr. Colleen Kennedy, Director of the Weight Loss Surgery Center at Ochsner. We believe that the ASBS Center of Excellence program will serve as a catalyst, driving strong programs to get even better. We urge our peers to join the effort. Clinical evidence shows that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have the lowest rates of complications; therefore, the ASBS Centers of Excellence program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well and to help improve the quality and safety of care. Surgeons with ASBS Center of Excellence designations practice only top-quality care, ensuring efficacy of the procedure with each patient to the best of their abilities. To earn designation, Ochsner underwent a series of site inspections including review of its programs surgical processes and data on health outcomes. Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an organization dedicated to pursuing surgical excellence, formulates and establishes the rigorous standards with which Ochsner must comply, thoroughly inspects and evaluates each candidate for designation, determining if practices and outcomes meet their stringent standard. The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) is the largest society for this specialty in the world. Founded in 1983, foremost American surgeons have formed the societys leadership and have established an excellent organization with educational and support programs for surgeons and allied health professionals. The purpose of the society is to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery. For more information, please visit www.asbs.org.

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