American College of Surgeons Grants Level 1A Bariatric Accreditation to
Danbury Hospital
DANBURY, Conn., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The American College of
Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Network (BSCN) Accreditation Program has awarded
Danbury Hospital full approval status as an accredited center for bariatric
(weight loss) surgery for a period of three years. Danbury Hospital is the
only Connecticut center and one of only two nationally to earn 1A
accreditation status from the American College of Surgeons -- the highest
level of hospital achievement -- for its quality, safety and reporting
standards. As of today's date, BSCN has fully accredited six centers across
the U.S. for their specialized surgical programs to address severe obesity.
Initiated in fall 2002, Danbury Hospital's Center for Weight Loss
Surgery has helped more than 600 people end their lifelong battles with
obesity, and reduce or eliminate the myriad of health problems that are
often associated with being severely overweight.
Pierre F. Saldinger, MD, FACS, Chairman, Department of Surgery at
Danbury Hospital, said, "Our patients recognize our center as having
established an excellent track record for weight loss surgery. This
accreditation by the American College of Surgeons demonstrates to both
physicians and the community that Danbury Hospital provides the highest
level of bariatric care.
"Our Level 1A status will keep us abreast of the latest standards and
best practices, including performance improvement, to remain a leader in
bariatric surgery. Additionally, more patients are likely to qualify for
insurance coverage through the terms set by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services*, and the growing number of major payers who have
selected Danbury Hospital as a preferred provider of bariatric surgery,"
said Dr. Saldinger.
The American College of Surgeons developed its BSCN Accreditation
Program in 2005 to foster high-quality surgical care for patients who
undergo bariatric surgery.
Laura Choi, MD, Medical Director of Danbury Hospital's Center for
Weight Loss Surgery, explained, "Scrutiny among the medical community,
media and public of contemporary weight loss surgery reveals a need for
organization, standards, and data on outcomes. The decision to recommend
surgery for obese patients requires multidisciplinary input to evaluate the
indications for this operation and to define and manage related medical
problems -- such as high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea --
properly.
"We have a wealth of specialty support throughout Danbury Hospital to
ensure that each patient is fully evaluated and followed to meet their
health needs and goals," Dr. Choi added.
With its Level 1A ranking, Danbury Hospital is equipped to manage the
most challenging and complex patients with optimal opportunity for safe and
effective outcomes. A national leader, it can offer a safe, high-volume
program respected for its professional services, breadth and depth.
Dr. Choi and Keith Zuccala, MD, Chief, General Surgery at Danbury
Hospital, provide seriously overweight patients with a surgical solution
for long-term weight loss through comprehensive medical and surgical care.
Fellowship trained in laparoscopic surgery, Drs. Choi and Zuccala perform
laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric
Banding procedures. Their multidisciplinary review board guides each
patient with the expertise of a surgeon, pulmonologist, cardiologist,
psychiatrist, nutritionist, pharmacist, nurse coordinator, and other
specialists as needed. Weekly educational sessions and monthly support
group meetings are very important components of the program.
For most people, surgery is the only effective therapy for morbid
obesity and its related complications. Yet, there is considerable
misinformation concerning the validity of bariatric surgery in the
management of morbid obesity. A variety of surgical procedures can now
offer durable and safe control of weight, and facilitate remission of many
related health conditions that include diabetes, hypertension, asthma,
stress incontinence and infertility. Weight loss surgery should in no way
be considered as cosmetic surgery, but as an aggressive intervention with
the capacity to facilitate dramatic health improvements.
This BSCN designation follows high marks from the American Society for
Bariatric Surgery (ASBS), which named Danbury Hospital as a bariatric
surgery center of excellence in 2005.
For information and referrals, call Danbury Hospital's Center for
Weight Loss Surgery at (203) 797-7131.
*The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) benefit applies
only to Level 1 Accredited Bariatric Surgery Centers in the full approval
category.
SOURCE Danbury Hospital
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Related links:
http://www.danburyhospital.org
CONTACT:
Linda Wiseman of Danbury Hospital (Marketing
& Public Relations), +1-203-797-7247, Linda.Wiseman@danhosp.org
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