Health
- Last Updated on Saturday, 30 June 2018 01:29
People seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving treatment at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care.
Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH) has been accredited as a Low Acuity Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
The MBSAQIP Standards, outlined in the Resources for Optimal Care of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patient 2016 ensure that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for their severely obese patients.
“At Monongahela Valley Hospital, our program is flexible and customized for each individual,” said Hiram Gonzalez, M.D., director of the Hospital’s Weight Control and Wellness Program. “Our multidisciplinary team of physicians, dietitians, physical therapists and exercise physiologists design personalized plans that include all aspects of weight loss — from nutrition counseling, and healthy cooking classes to physical activity plans.”
MVH’s commitment to quality care begins with appropriately trained staff and the leadership surgeons who participate in meetings throughout the year to review its outcomes. They seek continuous improvement to enhance the structure, process and outcomes of the center.
“This accreditation is important because it formally acknowledges our commitment to providing and supporting a bariatric program that is dedicated to quality improvement and patient safety,” said Louis J. Panza Jr., MVH’s president and CEO.
After submitting an application, centers seeking MBSAQIP accreditation undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon, who reviews the center's structure, process and clinical outcomes data. Centers are awarded a specific designation depending on the number of patients it serves annually and the type of procedures it provides.
For more information about MVH’s Bariatric Program, contact the office of Dr. Gonzalez at
724-929-4122 or visit www.monvalesp.com.