Patients living north of Pittsburgh now have access to a nationally accredited bariatric program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality.
PITTSBURGH, March 15, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/-- The AHN Bariatric and Metabolic Institute announced today its bariatric program at AHN Wexford Hospital 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).
MBSAQIP works to advance safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation of bariatric surgery centers. AHN Wexford Hospital joins AHN West Penn Hospital and over 900 bariatric surgery centers across the U.S. and Canada with the designation. Each has undergone an independent, voluntary, and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical quality standards.
Based at West Penn Hospital, the AHN Bariatric and Metabolic Institute extended its program to patients at AHN's newest full-service hospital last spring. Since then, patients living in communities north of Pittsburgh have had convenient access at AHN Wexford to one of the region's most experienced clinical teams providing a range of advanced medical and surgical weight loss solutions.
"This achievement is a testament to our team's unwavering commitment to providing the most advanced, highest quality care available," said George Eid, MD, chair, AHN Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. "Their commitment has immeasurable impacts on our patients, many of whom are in need of and very much deserve lifesaving care that affords them the opportunity to live healthier, happier lives."
Some innovative, minimally invasive surgical solutions for obesity and other metabolic diseases offered at AHN Wexford include laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic-sleeve gastrectomy. Certain patients may be candidates for an endoscopic bariatric procedure in which a small, flexible scope is inserted through the patient's mouth and no incision is made. The endoscopic procedure aims to significantly reduce a patient's stomach volume and/or alter other parts of the digestive tract.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the U.S. are affected by obesity. Obesity is linked to more than 40 other diseases including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, orthopedic injuries and infertility.
To learn more about the AHN Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, visit https://www.ahn.org/bariatric-metabolic. To schedule an appointment with a weight loss specialist at AHN, call (412) 235-5900.
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About Allegheny Health Network
Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org), is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The Network is composed of 14 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness Pavilions, multiple employed physician organizations, home and community-based health services, a research institute, and a group purchasing organization. The Network provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, trauma care, cardiovascular disease, organ transplantation, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women's health, diabetes, autoimmune disease and more. AHN employs approximately 21,000 people, has more than 2,600 physicians on its medical staff and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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.
Media Contact
Alana Wenk, Allegheny Health Network / Highmark Health, 4125270020, [email protected]
SOURCE Allegheny Health Network / Highmark Health
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