Providence St. Patrick Hospital achieves special accreditation
Providence St. Patrick Hospital achieves accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program®
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News from Providence St. Patrick Hospital
MISSOULA — 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 in Montana.
Dr. Deron Ludwig, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director at Providence St. Patrick Hospital, announced today that its bariatric surgery center has been accredited as a Comprehensive Center by 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).
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.
Dr. Ludwig says, “I joined Providence St. Patrick hospital in July with the goal of partnering with the hospital to build upon the strong foundation of quality weight loss surgery care already present. The center of excellence designation is testament to the commitment to those suffering from severe obesity. It will allow better availability of weight loss surgery for our patients in the community and region. These procedures are lifechanging, improving both quality of life and length of life dramatically. This designation is a recognition of excellent outcomes, specialized care, educational support, and aftercare with an experienced team approach. We are now the only accredited center for weight loss surgery in Western Montana.”
Providence St. Patrick Hospital’s commitment to quality care begins with expertly trained staff and the leadership of an experienced bariatric surgeon. The program is tasked with continuous review of surgical data as they continue improving the structure and outcomes expertise necessary to provide safe, efficacious, and high-quality care to all metabolic and bariatric patients.
To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, St. Patrick Hospital met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity.
Kirk Bodlovic, Interim Chief Executive for Providence Montana, says, “We are proud to earn this prestigious designation. Our program remains committed to meeting the individual needs of our patients and developing personalized plans for them to return to active, healthy lives.”
The Centers for Disease Control estimates 42.4% of U.S. adults had obesity and 9.2% had severe obesity in 2017, the highest incidence ever recorded in America (latest report). Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. These are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was $173 billion in 2019 dollars. Medical costs for adults who had obesity were $1,861 higher than medical costs for people with healthy weight.
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.
