UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Achieves Bariatric Re-Accreditation

For the third time since 2014, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook’s bariatric surgery center has been re-accredited as a Comprehensive Center by 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 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.

“This reaccreditation underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care to our patients,” said Bariatric Medical Director Dr. Vafa Shayani. “We are proud to provide comprehensive and high-quality metabolic and bariatric surgical services to our patients who come to us from the Bolingbrook community and beyond.”

The hospital’s bariatric program met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways to earn MBSAQIP accreditation.

“Our bariatric program’s commitment to quality care begins with our team of expertly trained staff and the unwavering leadership of our highly experienced bariatric surgeons.,” said Herb Buchanan, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook president and CEO. “Their relentless pursuit of excellence is the driving force of the safe, effective and high-quality care we provide to our bariatric patients, and this recognition directly reflects that.”

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. Centers that earn accreditation are awarded a specific designation level depending on how many patients they serve annually, critical care capabilities, the types of procedures provided and whether they provide care to patients under 18.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity. Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of commonly associated conditions, such as Type 2 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 like these.

Working together, the ACS and the ASMBS have developed accreditation standards for metabolic and bariatric surgery to help patients with obesity identify centers that provide optimal patient care.

“We understand that our patients trust us with their health and well-being, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Dr. Shayani. “Our mission is not only to treat obesity and its related conditions but to provide a nurturing and compassionate environment where our patients can achieve long-term success in their journey toward better health. And we will continue to raise the bar in pursuit of the best possible outcomes for our patients.”