NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Achieves Accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program
North Brooklyn center meets all criteria to deliver safe, high-quality metabolic and bariatric patient care
Apr 05, 2024
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity, and that number continues to increase. Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among other health risks. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to obesity. 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 the greater North Brooklyn area.
“We are very proud to receive Comprehensive Center Accreditation (previously known as Bariatric Center of Excellence) after 2 ½ years of launching our fully bilingual program tailored to match the community we serve and completing close to 300 Bariatric procedures. The prediction is that this number will go up. Our community residents can feel safe in getting comprehensive Bariatric care here at Woodhull Medical Center. We are also excited to be performing these procedures robotically. We continue to expand our program so that we can meet the needs of our community members to help reduce obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other obesity related comorbidities and overall improve access to care and health outcomes in North Brooklyn,” said Javier Andrade, MD, FACS, FASMBS Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director, at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
Woodhull Weight Loss Center’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.
“We are honored to achieve this national accreditation of Woodhull’s Weight Loss Center as a Comprehensive Bariatric Center of Excellence. This further affirms our commitment to exceptional care for individuals in our community who are seeking weight loss solutions, including bariatric surgery, and helps our patients to improve overall health and wellness,” said Gregory Calliste, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, Woodhull’s Weight Loss Center met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure, and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement. The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, published by the ACS and the ASMBS, 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.
“I am very proud to be part of this team of highly professional and skilled medical providers, providing the best care possible for the bariatric patient. We work hard to stay on top of the patients being discharged after surgery, following up with them frequently in the clinic,” said Michelle Desrocher, Associate Director of Surgery, Coordinator, and Dietitian for the Bariatric Program, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
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.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Julissa Herrera, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, 718-963-8629
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, part of the NYC Health + Hospitals health care system, is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Brooklyn. It is a premiere health care organization for key specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and behavioral health services. Last year, the hospital received close to 300,000 ambulatory care visits and close to 100,000 emergency room visits. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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.