WHY SHOULD BARIATRIC SURGERY
BE PERFORMED AT A
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE®?

Dr. Neil Floch, Dr. Craig Floch and Fairfield County Bariatrics & Surgical Specialists, P.C. have been designated as Centers of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The hospitals at which they operate, Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk Connecticut and St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport Connecticut have also been awarded the Center of Excellence® certification. In 2006 they were among the first in the state to be certified and they have been recertified in 2010. To receive this certification, the most rigorous standards in the industry must be met. In addition, the bariatric surgeon and the facility in which the surgery is performed, must have a proven track record on patient safety and consistently deliver quality care. There must be a commitment to long-term patient care and success by the surgeon and affiliated facility. The qualifications for the SRC’s designations must be team focused, extensive, research-based and verified through a rigorous site inspection to validate all of the program's requirements. It is a very thorough process and consistently on going with timely reviews.

With the global obesity crisis and the rise in bariatric procedures the need to develop benchmarks for quality and patient safety became apparent. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) realized this and set out to recognize the surgeons and facilities that provide superior bariatric patient care. The Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) was created by the ASMBS as an independent non-profit corporation and given the role of implementing and administering the ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® program. The goal was, and is, to advance the safety, efficacy and efficiency of bariatric and metabolic surgical care. The SRC has established guidelines and rules to ensure that the patient will receive the highest levels of care and safety. The SRC developed and administers best-in-class bariatric surgery Center of Excellence® programs around the globe and the world’s largest clinical bariatric surgery patient database.

The need to have bariatric surgery at a Center of Excellence® was reinforced by the federal government in its Medicare National Coverage Determination. It stipulates that Medicare patients can only be operated on at Centers of Excellence that have been certified by the ASMBS or American College of Suregons.

Bariatric surgery is a life altering decision. Surgery is the most effective means to treat morbid obesity and its complications. There are currently several surgical procedures available that will offer lasting and safe control of weight and provide remission of many co-morbidities. Though the safety factor has substantially increased over the years, surgery can still be a challenging undertaking. Uncontrolled complications of morbid obesity and psychosocial challenges necessitate the need for highly skilled support. Bariatric patients can present increased surgical risks and the need exists for a well-trained staff that is capable of dealing with the physical and emotional demands of them. However, the surgeon and staff do not represent the entire picture. Hospital equipment, furniture, instruments and imaging resources must be suitable for the patients who often exceed their ideal body weight by 100 lbs. Centers of Excellence provide the knowledge, experience and staff to deliver the highest levels of safe and comprehensive bariatric care to the patient.

As the Center of Excellence® program grows improvements will be created in overall patient care, patient referrals, data exchange and collaborative clinical research for obesity and metabolic diseases. The SRC has established a research division to initiate, facilitate, conduct, report and fund research that relates to the surgical care of the obese. They are furthering the treatment of obesity by collecting, tracking and measuring data on bariatric patients in the United States and countries all over the world. They are developing clinical practice guidelines and conducting clinical research and trials.

As a Center of Excellence®, Fairfield County Bariatrics & Surgical Specialists, P.C. will be a participant in the programs and be party to all of the advances and benefits that will enhance the treatment and care of bariatric patients.

Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® is a registered trademark of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Used by permission of ASMBS. All rights reserved.