News Release
Mercy Center for Weight Reduction earns prestigious Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation
February 23, 2009
Mercy Center for Weight Reduction’s (MCWR) bariatric surgery program was recently awarded the prestigious Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSCOE) designation by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), an un-biased, not-for-profit organization. The BSCOE designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.
“We are honored to be awarded the ASMBS BSCOE designation,” says Mark Smolik, M.D., medical director of bariatric surgery at MCWR. “The accreditation is a testament to the excellent short-and long-term outcomes our patients achieve including, loss of excess body weight and reduced complications,” adds Smolik.
To earn a BSCOE designation, MCWR’s bariatric program underwent a site inspection from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) during which all aspects of the program’s surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes collected.
Since starting to perform bariatric surgery in 2003, surgeons Dr. Steve Cahalan and Dr. Mark Smolik, together have performed over 600 bariatric surgeries, helping patients improve their health by losing excess pounds. The majority of surgeries are completed using minimally-invasive (laparoscopic) techniques, which speed recovery times and have less infection and scaring.
Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the ASMBS BSCOE program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well, and to help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided.
By definition, surgeons with ASMBS BSCOE designation practice only top-quality care, ensuring efficacy of the procedure with each patient to the best of their abilities. Mercy’s comprehensive program approaches bariatric surgery with input from a team of experts who provide in-depth medical care, education, behavior modifications, psychological counseling and support before, during and after the surgery.
SRC, an organization dedicated to pursuing surgical excellence, formulates and establishes the rigorous standards with which Mercy and other BSCOEs must comply, thoroughly inspects and evaluates each candidate for designation, and upon review recommends approval of designation for those physicians and facilities whose practices and outcomes meet the stringent demands set forth by SRC for ASBS.
Contact Gregg Lagan
Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines
515-247-3050
cell 515-490-6636
For more information about Mercy’s nationally recognized bariatric program, please call (515) 643-0556.
